This new Hulu series tackles a horrifying, real-life story and amplifies it on the screen. The Act tells the story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard (Joey King), a 14-year-old girl who suffers from diseases like muscular dystrophy, leukemia, and epilepsy. Gypsy also deals with respiratory issues, vision/hearing impairment, mental disorders, and is confined to her wheelchair for the duration of her life. Gypsy is solely raised and taken care of by her mother, Dee Dee (Patricia Arquette), who is continuously hyper-focused on Gypsy’s medications, feeding (through a tube), and monitoring her every move and thought. The story gained popularity, not because of a sick girl living with her mother, but because all of these illnesses were made up by Dee Dee-Gypsy was a perfectly normal girl who had been abused by her mother her entire life by enduring treatments, surgeries, and procedures she did not need.
As Gypsy slowly realizes her ability to walk, eat sugar, her real age of nineteen, and health when she stops taking her medication, she is absolutely furious with Dee Dee and is looking for revenge. Because the show is based on the real-life story, it is a known fact that the show ends with Gypsy and her boyfriend (Calum Worthy) in a trial for the murder of Dee Dee.
The show releases new episodes each Wednesday, allowing the audience to watch Dee Dee’s lies unfold and Gypsy’s rebellious nature grow. So far, Gypsy has figured out her ability to walk, eat sugar, and eating orally (instead of through her tube). Gypsy’s new doctor has even figured out that there are no clear medical records that verify any of Gypsy’s disorders. It seems as though Gypsy has had a rude awakening to the toxic relationship that has been brewing her whole life with her mother. However, Dee Dee has not stepped down from her overprotective position. The series does a fantastic job of creating tension between Gypsy and her mother, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats, wondering if Gypsy will soon snap and prepare for the murder of her mother, or if Dee Dee will ever budge.
King and Arquette play their roles with true precision and eeriness, which allows the audience to really feel like they are left trapped in Gypsy’s world. Each episode creates new tension and suspense, which leaves me very excited to see what will happen next each Wednesday on Hulu.