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Ratched

Ratched

You deserve someone to show you mercy.

2020Ended1 season8 episodes~60 min/epTV-MAMidcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

In 1947, Mildred Ratched begins working as a nurse at a leading psychiatric hospital. But beneath her stylish exterior lurks a growing darkness.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Ratched?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Ratched streaming on Netflix.

Subscription

Highlights

What stands out about Ratched?

Ratched earns 5 badges, led by Visual feast and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Content

Reception

Is Ratched worth watching?

Ratched's Midcredits score is the 66th percentile of all shows, from 83K ratings across 2 sources. 77% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

66th percentile

Better received than 66% of shows

62nd percentile among Crime71st percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)64th
Approval (how many liked it)65th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

74 /100

64th percentile of all shows

67th percentile among Crime69th percentile among 2020s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.4 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

77% liked it

65th percentile of all shows

55th percentile among Crime70th percentile among 2020s
77% rated it 7–1023% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

94th percentile

81K ratings across platforms

90th percentile among Crime96th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 8% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

The show is visually gorgeous and features strong performances, but its plot is messy and it fails to convincingly connect to the iconic character from the original story.

Fans praised

  • Sarah Paulson's performance as a chillingly complex lead
  • Visually stunning cinematography, period costumes, and production design
  • Engaging twists and unpredictable suspense

Detractors panned

  • Disconnect from the original 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' character
  • Style over substance — convoluted plot and shallow writing
  • Excessive melodrama and AHS retread rather than a true prequel

What stands out

Cinematography85

Vivid color palette, striking compositions, Hitchcockian visual style

ActingDivisive78

Sarah Paulson's nuanced performance praised; strong ensemble (Judy Davis, Sophie Okonedo)

Atmosphere72

Immersive 1940s setting, but sometimes feels too polished for the subject

TensionDivisive55

Suspense builds in early episodes, dissipates in later half

PacingDivisive45

Starts strong but slows and drags in middle episodes

CharactersDivisive40

Inconsistent character arcs, especially Ratched's shift from calculating to sympathetic

Plot and storyDivisive35

Convoluted, meandering, and full of conveniences; loses tension midway

Originality25

Heavily derivative of AHS and Hitchcock; feels like a rehash

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 14 points higher than users.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 12 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 9 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 1 point apart

Episodes

1 season

Season 1 · 2020 · 8 episodes · 7.0 average across 8 rated episodes

  • S1E1

    Pilot

    Sep 18, 202056 minTMDB rating 6.8
  • S1E2

    Ice Pick

    Sep 18, 202050 minTMDB rating 6.9
  • S1E3

    Angel of Mercy (1)

    Sep 18, 202050 minTMDB rating 6.9
  • S1E4

    Angel of Mercy (2)

    Sep 18, 202053 minTMDB rating 7.1
  • S1E5

    The Dance

    Sep 18, 202062 minTMDB rating 7.1
  • S1E6

    Got No Strings

    Sep 18, 202045 minTMDB rating 6.8
  • S1E7

    The Bucket List

    Sep 18, 202058 minTMDB rating 7.3Season best
  • S1E8

    Mildred and Edmund

    Sep 18, 202059 minTMDB rating 7.1Finale

Watch experience

What is Ratched like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Wry, dark and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you unsettled.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
TenseMelancholicDread
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Campy · 2% of showsBrooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Melodramatic · 9% of shows: Heightened emotion, played large.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.SerializedSingle-season story
ToneThe series treats its grim subject matter with a campy, heightened theatricality that undercuts any real seriousness.
The rideThe series maintains a sustained atmosphere of tension and dread, with melancholic undertones persisting across the run.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically across the season, following Ratched's schemes in a conventional narrative arc.
Episode formatEach episode continues the ongoing story of Nurse Ratched's arrival and the unfolding events at the hospital, with no episodic case-of-the-week.
Season formatThe show was cancelled after one season, telling a complete story arc across its eight episodes.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
UnsettlingHaunting · 9% of shows
Why it leaves you this wayThe show's cold manipulation and graphic violence linger uncomfortably.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Tragedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4% (this title): Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% (this title) · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Corruption arc: Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).

4% of shows fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe series follows Mildred Ratched's calculated infiltration of a psychiatric hospital to execute her hidden agenda, manipulating everyone around her in a descent into darkness.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfCorruption
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7% (this title): Power 5% · Corruption 3% (this title) · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% (this title) · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Power

Corruption · 3% of showsIsolation · 3% of shows
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe story explores how power within a psychiatric hospital corrupts individuals and the systemic oppression that pervades the institution.
StanceThe series questions how power corrupts within a psychiatric institution, focusing on one nurse's moral deterioration.

The world

Mid 20th centuryInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral modernAmbientSupportive music · original score · Dan Romer
Settinga psychiatric hospital in 1947, reimagined with a gothic, stylish aesthetic
MusicThe score is known for its haunting, atmospheric quality that enhances the show's brooding tone.

Content guide

Is Ratched okay for kids?

TV-MA

Ratched is rated TV-MA. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at severe (92/100), sexual content at intense (66/100), language at moderate (51/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (49/100) and frightening material at severe (84/100). Overall it is heavier than 77% of TV-MA shows.

Ratings in 35 other countries
  • UK18
  • Canada18+
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany16
  • France16
  • Ireland18
  • New Zealand16
  • South Korea19
  • Brazil18
  • ArgentinaSAM 16
  • Austria16
  • Belgium16
  • BG16
  • Czechia18+
  • FinlandK16
  • Greece16
  • Hungary16
  • IDD
  • IndiaA
  • LU16
  • MexicoC
  • MY18
  • Netherlands16
  • Poland16
  • Portugal16
  • PRTV-MA
  • ROAP
  • Russia16+
  • SingaporeR21
  • South Africa16
  • Spain16
  • Switzerland16
  • Türkiye18+
  • UA16+
  • VITV-MA
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 88% of all showsHeavier than 77% of TV-MA shows
Violence & Gore
Severe
heavy for a TV-MA show
heavier than 91%
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-MA show
heavier than 73%
Profanity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
light for a TV-MA show
heavier than 21%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
typical for a TV-MA show
heavier than 47%
Frightening / Intense
Severe
heavy for a TV-MA show
heavier than 86%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence, frightening material, and sexual content. Everything else sits at or below what TV-MA shows usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Ratched have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Ratched?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Sarah Paulson
as Nurse Mildred Ratched
Globe nominee: Golden Globe nomination — Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - DramaTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Finn Wittrock
as Edmund Tolleson
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Cynthia Nixon
as Gwendolyn Briggs
Globe nominee: Golden Globe nomination — Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Supporting Role
Jon Jon Briones
as Dr. Richard Hanover
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Charlie Carver
as Huck Finnigan
Judy Davis
as Nurse Betsy Bucket
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Sharon Stone
as Lenore Osgood
Established: A standing when this show came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Amanda Plummer
as Louise
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Alice Englert
as Nurse Dolly
Rising: A short career with a standing when this show came out above the median working actor today.
Vincent D'Onofrio
as Governor George Wilburn
Established: A standing when this show came out that a top-10% working actor has today.

More like this

What are shows like Ratched?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Ratched include The Alienist (2018), The Woman in the Wall (2023) and The Purge (2018).

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