The Netflix series that is currently topping the viewing list in Israel is a dramatic-comedy thriller starring comedian Richard Gad. In the show, Gad portrays the life of Donnie, a struggling stand-up comedian who moves to London in 2015 after failing in his career. However, things take a dark turn when he becomes entangled with a stalker who sexually harasses him.
The series follows Donnie’s psychological journey as he tries to navigate his way out of this difficult situation. Viewers are taken on an intense ride as they try to unravel Marta’s obsession and Donnie’s role in fueling her madness throughout the seven episodes.
Psychologists have been analyzing the success of the series and the convincing character of Martha, who has been revealed to be suffering from erotomania and borderline personality disorder. Erotomania is a delusional disorder where a person believes someone, usually of higher status, loves them despite evidence to the contrary. In the series, Marta persists in believing in a romantic relationship with Donnie even though there is no evidence to support it.
Marta also exhibits signs of borderline personality disorder characterized by extreme swings between admiration and hostility, typical of the disorder. Borderline personality disorder often results from abandonment in childhood or adolescence, leading to extreme emotional fluctuations like those exhibited by Marta. Borderline personality disorder, especially combined with erotomania, can be challenging to treat due to extreme emotional outbursts. The disorder typically affects women and is challenging for psychologists due to these extreme emotional outbursts.
Donnie’s behavior can be attributed to his own traumas, leading him to sympathize with Marta’s extreme actions. He shows signs of Stockholm Syndrome, forming a bond with his abuser, which is common in abuse victims. This dynamic adds another layer of complexity to the story and highlights the effects of trauma on mental health.
This week, “the real” Marta made headlines threatening legal action against Netflix for portraying her as heavy and dangerous in the series. She claims that she was misrepresented as a lawyer who was dangerous and violent towards men when she was actually an accomplished lawyer who had never been involved in any violent behavior before or after filming took place. This has led to public backlash against Netflix for their portrayal of her character and raised important questions about how mental health issues are represented on screen.
Overall, this Netflix series sheds light on complex psychological themes and human behavior while also sparking discussions about mental health and its effects on society.