Netflix’s chaotic drama Vladimir has awful people being awful – but you’ll still be drawn in

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Lately, there’s been a surge in TV shows featuring flawed and often awful characters – think shows like Succession, The White Lotus, and Industry. Netflix’s new drama, Vladimir, fits into this trend, though it doesn’t quite reach the same level of quality as those critically acclaimed series. Still, it offers enough entertainment to be worth watching.

Rachel Weisz truly shines in this eight-part series – she’s the best part by far. Her performance as a distinguished college professor whose life begins to fall apart after becoming involved with a younger coworker is captivating. We see the entire story unfold through her eyes, and she brings a playful energy to the role that makes it truly special.

Much of the series Vladimir is presented through commentary from the main character, Weisz, who directly addresses the audience. This unique approach, developed with the novel’s author Julia May Jonas, brings the character’s inner thoughts to life on screen.

This approach also gives Vladimir a chance to tell his story in fresh and creative ways, and it quickly becomes the show’s strongest point. While similar techniques have been used before, as seen in shows like Chewing Gum and Fleabag, this series handles it with a unique touch that perfectly complements its overall atmosphere.

Weisz is a narrator you can’t fully trust. It’s often unclear if what you’re seeing is actually happening, or if it’s just her imagination. Her personality makes it difficult to know what’s real and what isn’t.

Because the story is told entirely through her perspective, our view of everyone else – her husband, students, and daughter – is colored by her own opinions. While her husband is clearly a terrible person, and the show often uses awkwardness for comedic effect with the younger characters, the series rarely tries to show any redeeming qualities or understanding for anyone besides her. The camera stays so focused on her viewpoint that we rarely get a chance to see other characters in a more nuanced light.

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Even Vladimir, the man she’s attracted to and becoming increasingly fixated on, feels limited when viewed through her perspective. We learn he’s also a pretty bad husband to his child’s mother, but even this seems to happen to create an opportunity for their relationship to start, serving the professor’s desires.

Vladimir doesn’t play favorites; every character, even the main one played by Weisz, is realistically flawed and difficult to like.

This isn’t a criticism of the show at all. It’s refreshing to see a story told from the perspective of a messy, imperfect woman. Even in 2026, female anti-heroes aren’t often given the same freedom as men – the freedom to be unlikeable without needing to be softened or given a clear reason to earn our sympathy. She’s simply entertaining to watch, and that’s perfectly valid.

The main character in Weisz’s story isn’t the typical 1950s homemaker, but her life still revolves heavily around the men she knows. She obsesses over a new love interest, gets caught up in workplace power plays with a male coworker, and tolerates her husband’s shortcomings. This leaves you questioning how much control she really has over her own life—until the shocking final scene, which we won’t reveal.

Ultimately, whether you enjoy Vladimir really comes down to personal preference. Your experience will likely depend on if you’re able to connect with and root for the main character. Simply put, if you find Leo Woodall attractive, you’ll probably love this show.

Okay, so there’s this other storyline happening alongside the main plot, and it touches on some really sensitive stuff – the #MeToo movement and cancel culture. Honestly, while I don’t mind games tackling serious topics even in a more lighthearted show, this felt really shallow and kind of stuck out in a weird way. It didn’t really land with everything else going on.

The show seemed to be trying to connect two different storylines, but the attempt felt disjointed and created the impression of two separate programs. It might have been more effective if the series had fully embraced its intense and obsessive romantic plot, rather than trying to juggle too many elements.

The scripts are filled with a clear appreciation for literature, which makes sense given that the two main characters are English professors working on their own novels – a detail that feels a bit obvious, though. The structure of the story, and how the protagonist’s literature class reflects her inner thoughts, adds a thoughtful layer to the narrative.

Vladimir is visually appealing, partly thanks to frequent appearances by Rachel Weisz, and with episodes around 30 minutes long, it remains engaging despite any imperfections.

Vladimir is available now on Netflix.

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2026-03-05 11:20