This obsession review is a first-impressions verdict only, and it comes with a clarification first. This is the Netflix British miniseries from 2023, starring Richard Armitage and Charlie Murphy — not the horror film of the same name covered in our where-to-watch guide. Same title, different story, cast and genre. What follows is based on the trailer, the synopsis and reported reception, not on a claim that DekhoOnly watched the full series.
Quick Verdict / At a Glance
- Title: Obsession, a British psychological thriller miniseries
- Platform: Netflix
- Released: 13 April 2023, all four episodes at once
- Episodes: 4, each about 33 to 43 minutes
- Directors: Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’Sa
- Based on: Josephine Hart’s 1991 novel Damage
- Lead cast: Richard Armitage as William Farrow, Charlie Murphy as Anna, Indira Varma as Ingrid, Rish Shah as Jay
- DekhoOnly First-Impressions Verdict: 3/5 (first impressions only, based on trailer, synopsis and reported reception)
- Watch it for: a short binge, committed performances, a high-concept premise
- Skip if: you want deep psychological detail
- Note: adult themes throughout; strictly for adult viewers
The Premise: A Perfect Life, One Forbidden Attraction
William Farrow is a respected London surgeon with a successful career, a beautiful home, a devoted wife and two adult children. Then he meets Anna, the new girlfriend of his son Jay, and a powerful, obsessive attraction takes hold — an affair that threatens his marriage, family and reputation.
That setup is the whole engine of the show. The trailer and synopsis make the central transgression clear from the start; the question is how far it goes, and what it costs. Ingrid, William’s wife, played by Indira Varma, is a warm, intelligent lawyer — a central presence, not a background figure.
At only four short episodes, totalling under three hours, it is built as a single-evening binge rather than a long commitment — a stylish, fast thriller you can finish in one sitting.
The Performances: Committed Cast, Divisive Material
On first impressions, the cast is the strongest reason to press play. Richard Armitage plays William with full commitment, leaning into intensity and self-destruction. Charlie Murphy, as Anna, carries the harder task — making a mysterious figure feel real — and reports say she comes alive particularly towards the end.
Indira Varma, as Ingrid, is repeatedly singled out for layered, grounded work, giving the wronged wife dignity rather than reducing her to a plot device. Rish Shah, as Jay, brings innocence to the son caught in a betrayal he does not yet understand. The directors stage the series in a polished, elegant London world, which makes it easy to watch but can also make the chaos feel too controlled.
What Critics Are Reporting
The reported reception is genuinely split, which is why this obsession review keeps its first-impressions verdict in the middle. The Indian Express rated it 3/5, calling it an overwrought melodrama, while still finding it not entirely dissatisfying. The Hindu was cooler, arguing that the thriller squanders its potential, despite Armitage’s gusto.
Other reports land in a similar middle ground: a polished, bingeable thriller with committed performances, especially from Murphy and Varma, but a central affair not developed with enough psychological detail to make the extreme choices fully convincing. The script asks viewers to accept an overwhelming attraction before showing why it is so powerful, and the ending leaves much unresolved.
That pattern is useful tonight. If you enjoy glossy, intense, soapy thrillers and can forgive thin psychology for strong performances and a short runtime, you will likely have a good evening. If you want the depth of the original novel, the cooler reviews warn you may come away frustrated.
Who Should Watch, And Who Should Wait
Watch this first if you like short British thrillers and intense relationship dramas, particularly Armitage and Varma. It suits a single-evening binge, if you want something adult and stylish rather than a long commitment.
Wait if you prefer slow, psychologically detailed drama, or if melodrama and adult themes are not your taste. This is not a family watch. Note again: this is the 2023 Netflix miniseries, not the horror film in our Obsession where-to-watch guide — different story, different cast. For more verdicts, browse our Reviews. The reported reception is summarised in the Indian Express report.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Netflix series released, and how many episodes are there?
All four episodes were released on Netflix on 13 April 2023, each about 33 to 43 minutes — under three hours in total.
Who stars in the series, and what is it based on?
Richard Armitage plays surgeon William Farrow, Charlie Murphy plays Anna, Indira Varma plays Ingrid and Rish Shah plays Jay. The series is based on Josephine Hart’s 1991 novel Damage, directed by Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’Sa.
Is this a first-impressions verdict or a full watched verdict?
This is a first-impressions verdict only, based on the trailer, synopsis and reported reception — not a claim that DekhoOnly watched the full series.
A short, stylish, divisive thriller — go in for the performances, and keep expectations in check for the psychology. Sirf wahi dekho, jo worth hai.
