Netflix's 'Maid' Review

October is a very important month. Not only is it known for representing Black History Month but for also shining light as National Domestic Violence Awareness. On October’s very first day, Netflix released the limited drama series ‘Maid’ - which is nothing short of a masterpiece that helps contribute awareness to all forms of domestic violence.

This American drama series is based on a New York Times best-selling memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive by Stephanie Land. Alongside this, Margot Robbie also featured as an executive producer - which inevitably added to the series pre-release buzz.

Margaret Qualley, who plays single mom Alex, does an amazing job at showcasing the many hurdles faced by women when trying to escape abusive relationships. Throughout the ten episodes, we watch Alex desperately try to save Maddie’s (her two-year-old daughter) childhood as the pair face a variety of threats.

Nick Robinson played the crucially important role of Sean, the alcoholic father of the plot. Like many abusers, Sean had multiple sides to him and knew how to work them to his advantage. As Alex drives off with Maddie from their family trailer, Sean was even able to manipulate the viewer into giving him sympathy.

Nothing about Alex’s life was ever stable. With an absent dad and mother who suffers from bipolar disorder, it’s clear to see Alex didn’t grow up in a happy home either. The relationship between Alex and her mother, Paula, is one of the hardest to watch. Andie MacDowell is able to demonstrate the emotional strain a parent’s mental health can have on their children. This is one of the many ways the show highlights how equal and valid emotional abuse is when compared to domestic abuse.

Whilst with Sean, his control over her life was almost absolute. With no car, phone or job, Alex was pretty much-held hostage in his trailer van. However, this all changes when Alex decides enough is enough and flees the household. This is where Alex applies for a role as a maid - to clean other people’s homes, strictly no more than 30 hours a week.

Abuse goes far beyond physical bruises and damage, yet a large proportion of the world still refuses to believe so. Even Alex was unaware that Sean’s behaviour could be considered abusive until an employee at a housing shelter suggested it. As a society, we’re conditioned to believe that only physical damage in a relationship should resort to taking drastic measures. This same psychology is seen with pretty much everyone around Alex; with her own friends and even family doubting Sean’s abusive treatment towards her.

Nate (Raymond Ablack) is a pretty controversial character. Despite being introduced as the ‘nice guy’, who saves Alex and Maddie from homelessness at one point, he offers a different form of toxicity to the show. He’s the childhood friend who clearly wants something more than a friendship with Alex, which Sean even managed to take note of.

However, after Alex turned down his proposal of dating, Nate’s actions quickly changed. His warm welcome slowly diminished, to the point where his house was no longer an option.

With little to no money, lack of support from the government, and the constant worry about Maddie’s future, it’s understandable how Alex (like many other women) returned back to her abuser. Molly Smith Metzler, the creator of Maid, perfectly demonstrated why and how it takes women up to seven attempts to leave an abusive relationship.