Black Bear’s unveiled the official trailer for Christy starring Sydney Sweeney, who seems to be everywhere these days, including in a controversial jeans ad. The trailer, released following the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, shows Sweeney’s transformation into Boxing Hall of Famer Christy Martin.
The film also stars Ben Foster (The Survivor), Merritt Wever (Severance), Katy O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding), and Chad Coleman (The Walking Dead). David Michôd (The King) co-wrote the screenplay with Mirrah Foulkes and directs.
“As happens every now and then, the perfect person appears in my life right when I’m looking for them. So it was with Sydney,” said David Michôd, commenting on casting Sweeney. “I already knew she had serious acting chops after seeing her amazing performance in Reality. She was the right age (needing to play Christy from around 20 to 40). She was the right stature (Christy wasn’t tall – she was all power and technique), and she had real fight training experience. I think Sydney probably feels the same way about this movie – it appeared in her life right when she was looking for something like it.”
Michôd, Sweeney, Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Teddy Schwarzman, Brent Stiefel, and Justin Lothrop serve as producers. Executive producers include Mirrah Foulkes, John Friedberg, Michael Heimler, Harrison Huffman, David Levine, Ryan Schwartz, Nick Shumaker, and Brad Zimmerman.
“Christy Martin (Sweeney) never imagined life beyond her small-town roots in West Virginia—until she discovered a knack for punching people,” reads Black Bear’s synopsis. “Fueled by grit, raw determination, and an unshakable desire to win, she charges into the world of boxing under the guidance of her trainer and manager-turned-husband, Jim (Foster).
But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside it—confronting family, identity, and a relationship that just might become life-or-death. Based on remarkable true events, Christy Martin’s story is one of resilience, courage, and the fight to reclaim one’s life.”
Christy will open in theaters on November 7, 2025.
Jensen Ackles (The Boys, Supernatural) returns to guest star as Colter’s brother, Russell, in the season three premiere of CBS’s Tracker. And while Jensen Ackles is back, season three sees the departure of two original cast members – Eric Graise, who played Bobby Exley, and Abby McEnany, who starred as Velma Bruin.
Season three episode one, “The Process,” will air on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 8pm ET/PT. Elwood Reid wrote the script and Ken Olin directed. Justin Hartley leads the series as Colter Shaw and Fiona Rene returns as Reenie Greene.
“The Process” Plot: As Colter grapples with the shocking truth surrounding his father’s death, Russell (Ackles) joins forces with his brother to help track down the missing wife and daughter of one of Reenie’s clients. Their reunion finds them mixed up in a chain of events involving a sinister underground operation known as “The Process,” on the third season premiere.
Justin Hartley is back as lone-wolf survivalist Colter Shaw in TV’s #1 hit show Tracker. Following last season’s explosive finale, Colter is wrestling with hard truths about his family’s history. In the wake of these shocking revelations, and aided by his trusted team, Colter must put the past in the rearview to focus on what he does best: using his instincts and survival skills to find the missing and collect rewards.
Emmy and BAFTA award-winner/animal advocate Ricky Gervais has a new adult animated comedy series, Alley Cats, coming to Netflix. The streamer announced the six-episode series, from Blink Industries animation studio, premieres in 2026.
Gervais created the series, directs, executive produces, and voices one of the main characters. “I play a fat, lazy, rude, opinionated creature with fangs, who’s not as smart or brave as he thinks he is. So quite a stretch,” joked Gervais.
The series also features the voices of Tom Basden, Andrew Brooke, David Earl, Kerry Godliman, Jo Hartley, Diane Morgan, Natalie Cassidy, and Tony Wayne.
“Alley Cats is a slacker sitcom created by and starring the multi award-winning Ricky Gervais. The adult animation follows the trials and tribulations of a group of feral British cats from all walks of society, who seek companionship while ruminating on everyday life,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “From the funny to the absurd, the series is packed with Gervais’ signature style of heart and social commentary that audiences have come to expect.”
Elliot Dear is the co-director, with Tang Heng (Kung Fu Panda 1 & 2) serving as production designer. Steven Hamilton Shaw (Gnomeo & Juliet) of Shush Creative is an executive producer.
The Raneys return to save struggling homesteaders in desperate need of help when Discovery Channel’s Homestead Rescue season 13 premieres on September 23, 2025. Among the families seeking help on the new season is a family devastated by Hurricane Helene.
New episodes air on Tuesdays at 8pm ET/PT.
“Homestead Rescue returns with the deadliest hurricane to hit mainland US in two decades, with Hurricane Helene obliterating a generational homestead and their 100 year-old farmhouse,” reads Discovery Channel’s synopsis. “A family of six go from 90% self-sufficient homesteaders to having nothing, and the Raneys are called on an entirely new and extremely dire mission: revive a fourth-generation homestead destroyed in an instant by Mother Nature and make it fully self-sustainable in just one week.”
Season two of Hustlers, Gamblers, Crooks slips into the Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT time slot on September 23.
Per Discovery Channel: “Hustlers, Gamblers, Crooks dives into high-stakes true stories and gut-wrenching moments, told by underdogs who risked everything to change their futures. In the season premiere, Hollywood icon Danny Trejo opens up about his drug and crime-fueled youth in Los Angeles.
Card counter Richard Munchkin recounts his descent into ultra-high stakes gambling and the moment he found himself caught between rival Russian mobs.
Finally, Dance Moms star and entrepreneur Sari Lopez revisits her prolific teenage years as a car-thief, boosting hundreds of thousands worth of cars. Later this season, the series delves into even more diabolical stories of wealth and greed from Kristin Davis, the ‘Manhattan Madam,’ who made millions launching a high-end escort service that catered to some of NYC’s elite until her downfall in 2008; disgraced NBA referee Timothy Donaghy who won thousands in the biggest betting scam in pro sports history; and fraudster Billy McFarland who hustled his way into the disastrous Fyre Festival.”
Poster for ‘The Girlfriend’ (Photo Credit: Prime Video)
Prime Video’s psychological thriller, The Girlfriend, arrives at its sixth and final episode with the question of both Laura and Cherry’s true nature still up for debate. The suspense is palpable as the series heads toward a shocking ending. Which of the two women vying for Daniel’s affection is truly psychotic, and which is genuinely motivated by love? Or are they both a disturbing blend of the two?
This recap of the sixth episode is filled with spoilers. You’ve been warned.
Daniel (Laurie Davidson) and Cherry (Olivia Cooke) come home from an apparent shopping spree. She wants to announce the engagement on Instagram, and he wants to enjoy it for a while. She’s sad that he wants to keep it a secret, but Daniel just doesn’t want people to ask too many questions. Seeing her disappointment, Daniel has a change of heart and thinks Cherry deserves a party.
Laura (Robin Wright) waits outside of the hospital for Daniel to finish his shift. She demands to know if he thinks she’s a violent person and he doesn’t want to have that discussion now. While Laura frantically insists that she didn’t attack Cherry, Daniel blurts out that he and Cherry are engaged and want to be left alone.
Cherry meets up with Daniel and sees Laura just standing there after Daniel walks away.
Howard (Waleed Zuaiter) comes home and packs up his things. Laura begs Howard to talk to Daniel, but he won’t listen. Instead, he suggests she just stop. He sings Cherry’s praises, complimenting her charitable work, including donations to a nursing home where they believe her dad, John, died. (We know from episode four that he’s not dead.) Howard asks, “Why can’t you love me the way I love you?” Laura’s only response is that she tried.
Howard comes clean, confessing that he’s been begging friends for years to invest in her gallery and buy the art that won’t sell. Howard is done with it all, including Laura.
Laura remembers the nursing home bill she has of Cherry’s and pays the facility a visit. She’s shocked to discover John is still alive. When she mentions Cherry’s name, John begins to get upset. The nurse informs Laura that John gets like that whenever Cherry is brought up. Laura asks the nurse what happened to him and learns he fell off a building and broke his spinal cord.
Howard and Cherry enjoy a glass of champagne together. He thinks she must miss her dad, and she believes he must miss his daughter. Cherry asks Howard to walk her down the aisle.
Laura visits Cherry’s mother, Tracey (Karen Henthorn), seeking advice. Laura doesn’t want Daniel to end up like Cherry’s father; Laura believes Cherry pushed her father off the building. Tracey doesn’t care what Cherry does. She is her daughter, and she will always protect her. Laura also needs to protect her son. Tracey thinks no one will believe Laura if she tells anyone.
“If she finds out what you are trying to do, then god help you and your son,” warns Tracey.
Laura recorded their conversation and leaves a voice message for Daniel, begging him to meet her. While Daniel is in the shower, Cherry sees the text messages from Laura. She deletes them just as Daniel catches her on his phone. She lies, claiming she’s looking for a wedding song.
Tracey doesn’t want to go to the engagement party and she gives Cherry a warning to be careful because Laura has it out for her. Tracey admits that Laura visited her and asked about her dad. Tracey claims she told her to get lost.
Cherry breaks into the gallery at night and burns the eyes out of a painting of Laura.
Laura discovers a stuffed bear on her porch that was in her gallery. She rushes to her gallery only to find all the art has been vandalized. The police are there when Lilith shows up. Upset, Lilith (Anna Chancellor) no longer believes or trusts Laura.
Everyone attends the engagement except for Tracey, while Laura shows up uninvited. Isabella (Tanya Moodie) intercepts Laura while Cherry tells Daniel that his mom is there. The police arrive and arrest Cherry for criminal damage.
Cherry laughs while waiting in the integration room. The police inform her that there is CCTV footage of a woman of her build and height breaking into the gallery. Cherry tells them Laura is harassing her and brings up what people are saying online about her. Cherry also mentions Laura firing Harriet. Grasping at straws, she tries to blame Harriet for the vandalism.
Laura is still trying to call Daniel when her cat, Moses, shows up at the door.
Cherry is released and Tracey confirms she lied to the police for her. She doesn’t want to hear whatever excuse Cherry is about to give her. When Cherry says she and Daniel are in love, Tracey says Daniel doesn’t even know who Cherry really is.
Tracey comes clean. Laura knows everything and is prepared to tell Daniel.
Daniel visits Laura but before she can play him the audio she made of Tracey, he tosses her phone aside. He’s been forced to take on the role of the perfect golden boy, and he feels as if he can’t breathe.
Daniel chooses Cherry over Laura and Laura seems to give up. She asks him to stay for a few minutes and have a drink. He agrees and instead of trying again to show him proof that Cherry is dangerous, she drugs her son. While he is drugged, she tries to play him the message.
Cherry breaks into Laura’s house and confronts her mother-in-law, demanding to know why she disliked her from the get-go. Laura refuses to let her son go and asks why Cherry hurt her own father. Cherry admits she did!
Cherry tries to help Daniel and Laura shoves her in a room and locks the door. She’s forced to climb out the window and jump off the balcony, injuring herself in the process. As Cherry attempts to get back inside the house, Laura grabs a butcher knife.
The two women embark on an intense chase, just as Daniel starts coming around and making his way down the stairs. Laura and Cherry run into each other, and Laura threatens Cherry with the knife. Cherry and Laura fall into the pool and engage in a fight for their lives.
In a heart-pounding moment, Daniel jumps in and holds his mother underwater while yelling at Cherry to get out of the pool. By the time Daniel releases Laura, it’s too late. Laura is dead.
The series concludes with a time jump, catching up with Daniel and Cherry after they’ve married and have a baby on the way. Cherry’s outside while Daniel’s in the kitchen when Moses the cat reacts to something Daniel can’t see. Daniel checks it out and finds a cell phone.
The battery’s drained and he charges it, discovering it’s his mom’s phone. Daniel finally listens to the recording she so desperately wanted him to hear, and it is so much worse than he expected.
Tracey told Laura every psychotic thing Cherry has done and it’s a lengthy list. Horrified, Daniel listens to Tracey’s final warning to Laura: “So you tell your son, don’t be fooled by the good times. Sooner or later, she’ll want something from you that you’re not prepared to give and then she’ll find a way to get rid of you.”
Prime Video’s The Girlfriend episode five, the season’s penultimate episode, opens with Laura’s (Robin Wright) lies coming to light. It’s a game-changing moment when Laura and Daniel (Laurie Davidson) step into an elevator, only to be greeted by Cherry (Olivia Cooke).
The following is a detailed recap of episode five, which means there are spoilers ahead.
Cherry demands to know how Daniel could have done this to her and why he didn’t just break up with her. Laura tries to stop him from talking to Cherry, but he doesn’t listen. Before Laura can drag Daniel away, Cherry realizes this was all Laura’s doing. She informs Daniel that his mother lied and said he was dead. Laura claims she can explain everything, but Daniel doesn’t give her the chance.
We’re treated to Laura’s perspective first as she desperately tries to get ahold of her son. She leaves him a voicemail begging him not to tell anyone until they can talk. Howard (Waleed Zuaiter) wonders what’s wrong and instead of telling him the truth, she asks if Daniel is going to be home for dinner.
Changing the subject, Howard asks how the gallery is going. Laura lies and asserts that it’s great, but Howard is aware that she hasn’t been there in a while. When she questions if he is keeping tabs on her, Howard reminds her that it is his name above the door. He assures her he’s just stressed.
Laura arrives at the gallery and orders her assistant, Harriet, not to discuss what she does with Howard. It appears she missed a meeting with Jamal, an artist, and blamed Harriet even though it was in her calendar. Laura feels she should have called her, but Harriet reminds Laura she doesn’t pick up when she’s with Daniel. Laura doesn’t care and fires her assistant, even though it’s clearly not her fault.
Daniel heads home and speaks to his mom as he packs his belongings. He wonders if Howard knows what she did, and Laura assures him he doesn’t. Laura seems to think she can explain all of this, but Daniel believes what she did was insane. He wants his mother to leave him alone. She’s startled when she turns around and Cherry is standing behind her. When Laura asks why Cherry is there, Cherry replies, “You ruined my life, Laura. Now watch me ruin yours.”
Laura discovers she has a flat tire and reports the incident to the police, claiming Cherry slashed her tire. They can’t do anything without proof.
Things get worse for Laura when she shows up at the gallery and Jamal is removing all his artwork. Apparently, she didn’t get the memo that she is being accused of bullying and is being sued for unfair dismissal. Laura leaves Daniel a voicemail telling him he needs to tell Cherry to stop with her silly games; it’s escalated to harassment.
Isabella (Tanya Moodie) shows up, wine in hand, wondering how screwed Laura is. Laura comes clean to her friend about telling Cherry that Daniel died. Isabella doesn’t want to hear it and tells Laura she needs to stop all of it.
Laura appears to be losing it and thinks she sees Cherry in the pool with her. She turns to her old lover, Lilith (Anna Chancellor), and she seems understanding of everything that Laura did. After confessing she’s going to lose her reputation, Lilith suggests she just find another artist. Laura is desperate and tries again to convince Lilith to show her art at the gallery. Guilt-tripping works and Lilith agrees.
Lilith thinks Laura really needs to let loose. They get high, dance, and have sex.
Back home, Howard confronts Laura for lying to Cherry about Daniel. She didn’t just lie to Cherry; she lied to all of them. She insists he can still trust her and when he asks where she was last night, she admits she was with Lilith. Howard becomes angry and demands to know what she wants. He decides he needs time to think.
Laura meets with some investors about Lilith’s art and Cherry shows up unexpectedly. Laura asks what Cherry wants, and Cherry threatens Laura. In turn, Laura threatens to go to the police. Cherry reminds her that her reputation is a joke, her marriage is hanging on by a thread, and Daniel hates her. After Laura grabs Cherry by the throat, someone in the gallery screams, “Oh my god!”
Cherry’s perspective takes over as she confronts Daniel and Laura. Afterward, Cherry complains to her mom (Karen Henthron) about what Laura did. Cherry wants payback, but Tracey tries in vain to talk her out of it.
Daniel shows up, unwilling to lose her again. He begs for another chance. Cherry agrees to meet him at his hotel and of course Cherry gives in, and they get back together. The next morning Cherry discovers Daniel doesn’t remember much of what happened before his tragic fall. He definitely doesn’t remember proposing to her.
Daniel invites Cherry to accompany him to pick up his things from home. There, Cherry takes a butcher knife from the kitchen and slashes one of Laura’s tires.
Daniel and Cherry invite his friends, including Brigitte (Shalom Brune-Franklin), over to his new rental. They’re told about Laura’s lie and Brigitte apologizes to Cherry. She thinks Laura has been acting crazy and even fired her friend at the gallery for no reason.
After looking at Harriet’s socials, Cherry shows up to where she does yoga. Harriet unloads about Laura, telling Cherry everything Laura did. She even reveals all of Laura’s passcodes are Daniel’s birthday. Cherry talks Harriet into bad-mouthing Laura online and in magazines.
Daniel and Cherry attend a polo match, and he goes on about how amazing his mom is. Cherry asks why he didn’t tell these people what his mom did. Not telling them is making Cherry look cold-hearted. He doesn’t want to argue. No matter what, she’s still his mom.
Episode five ends with Cherry’s perspective of the events at the gallery. Laura lets go of Cherry’s throat, claiming she’s nothing like Cherry. She thinks Daniel is going to come to his senses and realize the kind of person Cherry is. In a shocking turn of events, Cherry smashes a champagne glass over her own head and screams. She goes back into the gallery, telling everyone in attendance that Laura attacked her.
Cherry, being the great manipulator she is, returns to Daniel’s and acts terrified, claiming his mother attacked her. His first thought is, “What did you do?” Cherry, enraged, lies and claims Laura screamed at her in the middle of the gallery and then attacked her.
Daniel talks Cherry into staying and cleans her cuts. Daniel decides to choose Cherry over his mom and asks her to marry him … again.
‘Audition’ book cover (Courtesy of Riverhead Books)
Lucy Liu (Elementary) and Charles Melton (Warfare) are committed to star in Audition, with The Farewell‘s Lulu Wang and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok on board to adapt the Booker Prize-longlisted novel by Katie Kitamura. Wang will also direct.
“Bringing Katie Kitamura’s Audition to the screen is a thrilling challenge,” said Wang. “What makes it feel possible, and electrifying, is working with Lucy Liu and Charles Melton. They’re both such magnetic performers, and I can’t imagine better collaborators to step into this story with.”
The film is being produced by Higher Ground Productions and LAIKA, in association with Wang’s production company Local Time. Higher Ground was founded by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, and Audition made the cut for President Obama’s summer 2025 reading list.
“Audition is a twisty thriller that follows a celebrated actress enjoying a charmed, bohemian life in Manhattan with her creative husband,” reads LAIKA and Higher Ground’s synopsis. “That is until a mysterious young man appears, claiming to be her long-lost son. What begins as a misguided reunion spirals into an enthralling mystery about identity, guilt, and the roles we perform.”
Producers include Wang, Higher Ground’s Vinnie Malhotra and Anikah McLaren, and LAIKA’s Travis Knight and Matt Levin. Lucy Liu, author Katie Kitamura, and LAIKA’s Jeremy Kipp Walker are serving as executive producers.
“Katie Kitamura’s Audition is a masterfully crafted psychological thriller that explores the complex layers of identity and performance,” stated Higher Ground’s Head of Film Anikah McLaren. “We’re thrilled to partner with LAIKA and Lulu, an incredibly talented and poignant filmmaker, to adapt this compelling narrative about family, deception, and self-discovery.”
“At LAIKA, we are always seeking out bold, emotional, and inventive stories, and Katie Kitamura’s Audition is exactly that,” said Matt Levin, President of Live Action Film & Series. “Lulu Wang is a brilliant and daring filmmaker we’ve long admired, and her unique vision and Higher Ground’s commitment to powerful storytelling make them the perfect partners to bring this extraordinary novel to the screen.”
Taylor Frankie Paul stars in ‘The Bachelorette’ season 22 (Disney/Michael Kirchoff)
ABC’s The Bachelorette season 22 is going outside of the Bachelor Nation for its star. 31-year-old Taylor Frankie Paul has been named the new Bachelorette, following up her standout role in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives with the lead in the upcoming 2026 season of The Bachelorette.
ABC offers this brief bio of Paul: “Paul is the breakout star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, captivating millions with her raw, unapologetic storytelling. Off-screen, she’s a TikTok powerhouse whose comedic, heartwarming, and bitingly honest content has earned her a massive following. As a single mother of three, Paul shares the highs and lows of her life with unfiltered candor. With humor, resilience, and a fearless openness, she inspires others to embrace life’s chaos and own their story.”
Season 22 will premiere in 2026. A new season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives debuts on November 13, 2025.
Taylor Frankie Paul described being named as the new Bachelorette as surreal in an interview with Good Morning America. Asked what characteristics she’ll be looking for among the season 22 bachelors, Paul replied, “How you treat people is my number one, down to things of like someone in passing by or a neighbor or your server.”
Paul also confirmed she’d be open to dating someone outside of her religion. She added, “Kids are important. I’m obviously going to ask them, like, ‘Are you ready to be involved with three children?’ I think everything can be workable if two people want it and they love each other.”
We’ve reached the halfway point of Prime Video’s psychological thriller, The Girlfriend, and Laura (Robin Wright) is becoming unhinged. The following is a recap of episode four, which means there are spoilers ahead.
Episode four begins from Laura’s point of view as she heads to her son’s new home. She’s on her way to tell Cherry that Daniel did not die, despite telling her that he did in episode three.
Cherry (Olivia Cooke) quickly cleans up the living room; the apartment is a mess. Laura finds a credit card in Daniel’s name, a pair of men’s boxers, and Daniel’s laptop. She asks if Daniel has stayed there and Cherry confirms he has not. He’d only just gotten the keys before they went off to celebrate his birthday. Laura wonders why Daniel’s laptop is there, and Cherry claims he let her borrow it.
Laura’s about to break the good news that Daniel is alive when Cherry cuts her off. “Did you know Daniel proposed to me?” asks Cherry, which catches Laura completely by surprise. Cherry asks about a funeral and Laura, still reeling from the engagement news, lies and says they already had his funeral. It was small and private. Cherry gets angry and kicks Laura out.
Laura takes Daniel’s laptop which has Cherry’s social media accounts on it. She blocks Daniel on there and looks up Cherry’s password. As she goes through a stack of Daniel’s mail Cherry gave her, Laura finds one belonging to Cherry. It has an outstanding balance for a nursing home.
Laura’s interrupted by the doorbell and it’s Cherry, banging furiously on the door. Laura calls Howard and suggests they take Daniel to Spain to recover.
On the way to Spain, Daniel (Laurie Davidson) asks Laura if she got in touch with Cherry. Laura lies to her son and claims she didn’t. Daniel wonders if he did something wrong that would cause Cherry to ghost him, and Laura suggests that some people just want to be around for the good times.
Laura tells Daniel she got him a new phone and offers to set it up for him. As she does, she deletes voicemails from Cherry and adds a different number under her name that belongs to a burner phone.
Laura, Howard, and Daniel sit down for a meal and Daniel stares at his phone, waiting for word from Cherry. Laura cuts up his food like he’s a child and he stops her, saying he can do it himself. He tries but fails, and Laura starts to feed him. Frustrated, he wants her to stop.
Laura looks through the burner phone and sees Daniel has been texting Cherry, begging her to call him. Laura calls Isabella (Tanya Moodie) and requests that Isabella ask Brigitte to keep quiet about Daniel’s recovery. She lies and says Cherry has still not tried to reach out to Daniel.
Cherry cries as she puts on Daniel’s clothes she found in his backpack. She leaves him voicemails even though she was told he died. Cherry buys Daniel a suit for his funeral but her credit card is declined so she uses one of his.
Laura’s visit plays out completely differently through Cherry’s eyes. When Laura tells Cherry they already had Daniel’s funeral, Cherry asks why she didn’t call her. Laura simply says, “Because you’re not family.” Laura informs Cherry she needs to move out and then leaves, without being in the least bit sympathetic.
Cherry shows up to talk to Laura, but Laura won’t answer the door. She leaves Laura a voicemail saying she just wants to know where Daniel is buried. Laura calls Cherry and informs her they are selling Daniel’s apartment.
Daniel works out in the pool with his new physical therapist and Howard (Waleed Zuaiter) wonders where Laura found her. Laura confirms she asked for someone who is the best and the prettiest, believing that to be the fastest way to mend a broken heart. Howard still can’t wrap his head around what happened with Cherry, and Laura reminds him he only wants to see the good in people. Laura chooses this moment to reveal she doesn’t think Daniel should go back to his apartment because he needs to move forward. Howard reminds her it’s Daniel’s decision, and Laura suggests that Howard should speak to Daniel about it.
Daniel becomes frustrated in the pool and Laura joins him, cradling him like he’s a baby and not like he’s a grown man. As she gets Daniel settled in a chair, Laura panics when Cherry calls her. She immediately blocks Cherry’s number on her phone.
The burner phone shows that Daniel is constantly texting Cherry and sending her explicit photos. Howard startles his wife as she goes through the texts, suggesting that now that Daniel has gone to bed, he thinks they could have some alone time. As things get hot and heavy, a text from Daniel on the burner phone interrupts, and she forces Howard to stop. She texts Daniel pretending to be Cherry and claiming she can’t do this and that it is over between them.
Daniel, clearly upset, throws his phone.
Cherry’s co-worker invites her out for drinks after work, and she declines. Cherry arrives at the apartment and finds her things outside. The locks have been changed. After checking into a hotel, she changes her mind and heads to the bar. She dances with a stranger and does drugs.
It turns out that as Cherry’s making out with the stranger, Brigitte (Shalon Brune-Franklin) is at the same bar. Brigitte confronts Cherry, and Cherry doesn’t understand what her problem is. Brigitte wonders if Cherry really thought they would be friends after what she did to Daniel. Brigitte is glad Daniel isn’t there to see what she is doing right now.
Isabella tells Laura about Brigitte bumping into Cherry and Laura asks where because she doesn’t want Daniel to bump into her. Things are getting out of control when Laura hacks into Cherry’s social media and posts something derogatory about her company’s clients.
Cherry gets a call from her boss informing her that she is fired because of her social media post. She doesn’t understand and looks at her account. Laura posted, “Rich wanker foreigners buying up London, taking our homes. And my boss is happy as a hog s**t.” She insists it wasn’t her and that she was hacked.
Cherry is forced to move back in with her mother, Tracey (Karen Henthorn), and work alongside her as a butcher. As Cherry tries to find a new job, she realizes she’s been blacklisted.
Daniel’s rehab is going well, and he goes into town to have drinks with his therapist. Laura sets up drinks and food for her and Howard, apologizing for neglecting him. She’s been thinking and wonders what he thinks about it just being them and no more Marianne. Howard admits he’s been wanting that.
Daniel returns from having drinks and tells his mom she was right about Cherry. He deleted her phone number and believes it’s time to go home. Laura double-checks and confirms that Cherry no longer works for that real estate company.
As Cherry puts her things away, she finds the business card for Howard’s friend. She and her mom go out for karaoke and have a heartfelt conversation. Tracey convinces Cherry to go see her dad at the nursing home. (Cherry told Daniel’s family that her father is dead).
Her mother leaves Cherry and her father alone together. She tries to talk to him, and he tells her in a vulgar way to get lost, screaming at her that she’s a liar. Her mom finds her and tells her to just give it a couple more weeks and everything will sort itself out.
Cherry sets up a meeting with Howard’s friend about a possible job. He brings up her posts and she doesn’t deny she wrote them. He wonders if she has spoken to Howard about all this and she informs him they haven’t spoken since Daniel died.
Episode four ends with Howard’s friend dropping the bombshell news that not only is Daniel alive, but he’s currently having lunch in this very building. Cherry finds him very much alive and dining with his mother!
Prime Video’s The Girlfriend episode three begins on a grim note, with the action unfolding inside a hospital. A doctor indicates someone is in critical condition but doesn’t confirm who it is.
The following recap has spoilers!
The first half of the episode is from Cherry’s point of view, with Laura (Robin Wright) showing up at Daniel’s new apartment for the first time. She confirms he has the money for it, thanks to his dad’s generosity. After Daniel (Laurie Davidson) steps out of the room, Laura confronts Cherry (Olivia Cooke), rhetorically asking if she did not make herself clear. (Laura ordered Cherry out of Daniel’s life in episode two.) Cherry insists Laura can’t tell her what to do. Laura warns that she’s going to make sure all of Cherry’s lies catch up with her.
Cherry does not pay attention in a work meeting; she’s too worried about what Laura might be up to. Cherry speaks with her mother, Tracey (Karen Henthorn), demanding to know if anyone has come along asking questions about her. Daniel interrupts their conversation and meets Cherry’s mom for the first time.
Cherry comes home to find Laura sitting in bed with Daniel. Laura makes a remark about Cherry staying over again, pretending to be joking when she suggests they start charging her rent. Laura brings up a tradition she and Daniel have for his birthday, but Cherry shoots down her plans, claiming she booked a getaway for them for Daniel’s birthday weekend. That forces Daniel to make a decision. He chooses to go with Cherry, upsetting Laura. (Cherry, of course, did not already have the trip booked.)
Cherry receives a call from her ex, Nicholas (Leo Suter), and he knows she messed with his wedding cake. He threatens to tell the police. Cherry warns that if he does that, she’ll talk to his wife. Cherry’s mother appears to be listening to the conversation. Nicholas threatens that if she or her American friend, Laura, contacts him again, he will end her.
Cherry instructs her mom to tell the police she was with her on the 26th. After her mother agrees, she confesses, “I really hope you haven’t returned to the old Cherry. She scared me.”
Cherry wonders if she is a bad person and Daniel insists she isn’t. She then claims Nicholas was controlling when they were together, but now that he knows about Daniel, he has gotten scary. She lies and claims Nicholas is spreading rumors about her, alleging that she ruined his wedding. Daniel wants to confront Nicholas, but Cherry thinks that’s a dangerous idea.
Next, Cherry confronts Laura about speaking with Nicholas. Cherry continues to lie and claims Nicholas is spreading rumors. Laura doesn’t believe her for one second. Cherry notices Daniel is there and amps up the dramatics, begging Laura not to do this to her. Laura admits she doesn’t like or trust Cherry, which leads to Daniel confronting his mom. (Exactly as Cherry had planned.)
Daniel and Cherry leave for his birthday weekend getaway, which involves rock climbing, one of Daniel’s favorite activities. He’s upset as they drive away, and Cherry finally manages to get him to lighten up. Once at their destination, Daniel pretends he is going to propose to Cherry. He laughs and then turns serious, assuring her he does want to marry her. He takes the key ring off his keys and uses that as a ring.
Daniel is in his element rock climbing, and he tries to show off but falls!
Howard (Waleed Zuaiter) gets ready for a ballet but offers to stay home. Laura waves him off, reminding him that Marianne is expecting him. She receives a text from a Lilith telling her she knows where to find her. Laura heads to the pool, where she finds her son and Cherry naked.
Daniel apologizes to Laura about what she witnessed, and she asks that he not have sex in her pool. He changes the subject by sharing good news; he got the apartment Cherry showed him. Laura can’t believe he’s going to be living on his own, but he says he won’t; he will be living with Cherry.
Laura contacts Nicholas and he tells her to leave him alone.
Laura’s point of view of the birthday trip announcement is, of course, dramatically different from Cherry’s. Cherry begins to make out with Daniel in front of her.
Laura tells Isabella (Tanya Moodie) and Brigitte (Shalom Brue-Franklin) that Daniel and Cherry were laughing at her and asks Brigitte’s opinion of Cherry. Brigitte likes her even though she is a bit psycho. Laura feels Cherry is trying to prove she owns Daniel. Isabella wants to talk about something else; all Laura talks about is Cherry.
Laura convinces Nicholas and his wife, Millie, to meet with her. Nicholas opens up right away, warning Laura that once Cherry gets her claws into someone, she never gives up. Laura wonders if Cherry is dangerous. Nicholas admits that when he broke up with Cherry, she went crazy and spread lies about him. And when he and Millie got together, it got worse. He kept seeing Cherry outside their apartment. They were forced to take out a restraining order.
Now we see the confrontation between Daniel and Laura from Laura’s perspective. She admits she met with Cherry’s ex, Nicholas, but Daniel refuses to believe anything his mother tells him. He yells at her, accuses her of smothering him, and then storms off.
Howard tries to get Daniel to calm down before he and Cherry leave. Howard confesses he doesn’t believe what Laura is saying either. Howard also confesses that in the past he was worried about Laura’s obsession with Daniel. Howard feels Laura hates Cherry because she fears she is replacing her. He believes it stems from trauma over losing their daughter and insists it has to stop.
Laura visits her old lover, Lilith (Anna Chancellor), and tells her about everything going on with Cherry. She admits no one believes her. Lilith convinces Laura to stay the night and that it’s best to play Cherry’s game. She thinks Laura should apologize to Cherry and that eventually Cherry’s lies will catch up with her. She feels that if Laura can do this, when Daniel does come to his senses, he won’t blame his mom for anything.
Putting aside the topic of Cherry for a moment, Laura practically begs Lilith to let her show her art. Lilith has never let her before and doesn’t agree now. They’re just about to reignite their sexual relationship when Cherry calls with the devastating news that something happened to Daniel.
Howard and Laura show up at the hospital and Laura demands that Cherry get out of the room. The doctor informs them that they need to remove a piece of Daniel’s skull to relieve pressure in his head and to stop the bleeding.
Laura sobs over her son’s condition and expresses her hatred of Cherry. Howard lets Cherry know how Daniel’s surgery went and that he’s currently stable. She wants to see Daniel, but Howard informs her that it is not possible. She wants to stay, but Daniel thinks it’s time for her to leave.
Howard assures Laura that Daniel is going to be all right. Cherry’s returned to the apartment she shares with Daniel and calls Laura, wanting an update. Laura refuses to pick up any of her calls.
Unfortunately, the doctor is forced to deliver terrible news. He informs Laura and Howard that the surgery wasn’t successful. Daniel won’t make it. As they get this tragic news, Cherry repeatedly calls Laura.
As Daniel is being taken off the ventilator, Laura finally answers Cherry’s call. She lies and tells Cherry that Daniel died that morning. As episode three draws to an end, Laura talks to Daniel, telling him she can’t live without him. He responds with noises.
