Season 1 – The Shrink Next Door

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2:15

2021

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

57%

Tomatometer

61 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Inspired by the true story of Marty and the therapist who turned his life around then took it over; when he first meets Dr. Ike, Marty just wants to get better at boundaries; he learns all about them and what happens when they get crossed.

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Critics Consensus

The Shrink Next Door is a cookie full of perhaps too much arsenic, but Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd prove they're as capable of conjuring disquiet as they are laughs.

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Naomi Fry

The New Yorker

Worth watching for Paul Rudd’s surprisingly comical performance as a pretty monstrous psychiatrist.

Dec 12, 2022

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Melanie McFarland

Salon.com

It's a methodically paced, odd but mesmerizing piece set to an infectious soundtrack highlighted by its strategic use of '80s soft rock hits. Besides, the cast hoists the show over and through its slack spots.

Nov 16, 2021

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Judy Berman

TIME Magazine

Maybe a different creative team could've done a better job adapting The Shrink Next Door, or maybe Marty Markowitz's story simply didn't need to be retold.

Nov 14, 2021

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Akos Peterbencze

Vulnerable Man (Medium)

The 8-episode-long psychological dramedy is a fascinating study about selfishness, morality, and the diminishing boundaries in a doctor-patient relationship.

Jul 24, 2023

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Prahlad Srihari

Firstpost

The dysfunctional relationship in The Shrink Next Door is a cynical anti-bromance that becomes a grind to watch, leaving us more exhausted than enthralled by the end of the show.

Aug 8, 2022

Full Review

Martin Carr

We Got This Covered

Herschkoph is inherently unlikable, decidedly shifty and lacking in moral fiber, while Markowitz simply misses a backbone. Epiphanies, gumption or redeemable characteristics are in short supply, meaning there is little to get behind as a viewer.

Feb 18, 2022

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Ethan A

Why do I feel like this is Paul Rudd playing Billy Crystal playing a head shrink? Decent show, but I seriously felt like Rudd was doing a Billy Crystal impersonation through the whole thing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/03/25

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Louise J

Enjoyed Will Ferrell in this serious role. His acting was impeccable. The series took its time which meant it built up a meaningful story however found it a bit frustrating to watch. Mr Markowtiz is so dumb. Paul Rudd plays a narcissist pretty well- manipulating his way to the top and draining this innocent man of everything he holds dear.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/01/25

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Noneya B

Possibly the only thing I've enjoyed with Will Ferrell in it. What a horrible story, with one very horrible character. I'll recommend it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/22/24

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Kim B

I’m glad I didn’t see the rotten tomatoes reviews before I watched this. It’s brilliant and I think it’s one of those shows that will be appreciated more in a few years time. Like Bladerunner. The “me too” movement has nudged something of a focus on the nature of abuse but there’s still a way to go before our culture starts to grapple with it. “The Shrink…” is a tour de force of the intricate complicated interaction that is nurtured into being in an abusive relationship. The great insight it offers is that abusive relationships are not abusive every moment. There are frequently good times and sincere intimacy along the way and that’s what makes abusive relationships so challenging to try to deal with. The writers and actors here have explicated this dynamic with sensitivity, compassion and truly impressive insight. I loved this series and hope the creators do more in this area of human experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/26/24

Full Review

Ziggy D

The based on a true story aspect makes this series intriguing and worth watching.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/16/23

Full Review

mindy l

I truly loved this Series!! So Sad That " Marty" Got Taken So Badly!! At The Point Where Marty went in for his hernia surgery and the shrink never showed up once to check on him I wanted to crawl through the screen and beat the living crap out of them! They played their roles so wonderfully you couldn't have asked for a better job. The fact that it's a true story is absolutely appalling and so sad! The only thing I was grateful for was that Marty got his family back it was very sad that he lost that beautiful lady

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/31/23

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Georgia Pritchett

Creator

Will Ferrell

Martin "Marty" Markowitz

Paul Rudd

Isaac "Ike" Herschkopf

Kathryn Hahn

Phyllis

Casey Wilson

Bonnie

Cornell Womack

Bruce

Episode 1

Aired Nov 12, 2021

The Consultation

Marty is struggling with anxiety, so his sister, Phyllis, persuades him to start seeing well-regarded psychiatrist Dr. Ike.

Details

Episode 2

Aired Nov 12, 2021

The Ceremony

Dr. Ike convinces Marty to have a second bar mitzvah, which upsets Phyllis.

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Episode 3

Aired Nov 12, 2021

The Treatment

Marty invites Dr. Ike to help out with the family business; Phyllis senses she is losing her brother and decides to take matters into her own hands.

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Episode 4

Aired Nov 19, 2021

The Foundation

Dr. Ike persuades Marty to start a charity with him; Marty sparks with a female employee at the frame store.

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Episode 5

Aired Nov 25, 2021

The Family Tree

When Dr. Ike experiences a death in the family, Marty invites him to come stay at his house in the Hamptons.

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Episode 6

Aired Dec 3, 2021

The Party

Dr. Ike and Marty throw a series of extravagant parties at the Hamptons house, mostly at Marty's expense.

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Episode 7

Aired Dec 10, 2021

The Breakthrough

Marty considers a company move to New Jersey, but Dr. Ike may not be able to cross that boundary.

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Episode 8

Aired Dec 17, 2021

The Verdict

Marty confronts Dr. Ike about his behavior and tries to reconnect with the life he left behind.

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