Prime Video’s psychological thriller The Girlfriend concludes with a devastating confrontation that leaves one character dead and another facing a chilling revelation. The six-episode series, starring Robin Wright as Laura Sanderson and Olivia Cooke as Cherry Laine, explores the toxic battle between an overprotective mother and her son’s seemingly innocent girlfriend. The finale, which premiered on September 10, 2025, delivers shocking twists that redefine the story’s central conflict. Here’s a breakdown of what happens in the final episode.
How Laura’s Investigation Leads to a Final Confrontation
In the finale, Laura’s obsession with exposing Cherry intensifies after her son Daniel proposes to Cherry and cuts ties with his mother. Laura discovers a past-due bill from a nursing home addressed to Cherry, contradicting Cherry’s claim that her father had died. Laura visits the facility and learns that Cherry’s father, John Laine, is alive but severely disabled after a 20-foot fall from a construction site. A nurse reveals that John becomes violently agitated at the mention of Cherry’s name, hinting at her possible involvement in his accident .
Laura confronts Cherry’s mother, Tracey, at her butcher shop, secretly recording their conversation. Tracey implies that Cherry pushed her father but justifies it by citing his abusive behavior and the debt he left them in. She warns Laura that Cherry is relentless and will eliminate anyone who stands in her way. Laura plans to use this recording to convince Daniel of Cherry’s dangerous nature, but her text message to Daniel is intercepted and deleted by Cherry .
Enraged by Laura’s meddling, Cherry vandalizes Laura’s art gallery, spray-painting “LIAR” on paintings and destroying artwork by Laura’s lover, Lilith. Laura reports the crime to the police and has Cherry arrested at her engagement party. However, Cherry fabricates an alibi and is released, leaving Laura isolated and desperate .
The Deadly Showdown at the Sanderson Home
Daniel confronts Laura at her home, accusing her of destroying his relationship with Cherry. He declares that he wants nothing more to do with her. Laura pretends to accept his decision but drugs his drink during a farewell toast, intending to force him to listen to the recording of Tracey’s confession. Before she can play it, Cherry arrives at the house .
A physical altercation ensues, with Laura brandishing a knife and Cherry attempting to defend herself. The struggle moves to the indoor pool, where Laura holds Cherry underwater. Daniel, partially conscious from the drugs, intervenes and pulls Laura off Cherry. In the process, he inadvertently holds Laura underwater for too long, resulting in her drowning. Cherry watches without immediately intervening, and Daniel is left horrified by his accidental role in his mother’s death .
The Aftermath: Cherry’s Victory and Daniel’s Realization
The series fast-forwards several months to a sunny day at the Sanderson family home. Daniel and Cherry are now married, and Cherry is heavily pregnant. Howard, Daniel’s father, has reconciled with the couple and enjoys a close relationship with Cherry. The scene appears idyllic until Daniel discovers Laura’s missing phone under a side table, which had been knocked away during the struggle .
After charging the phone, Daniel finds the recording of Laura’s conversation with Tracey. He listens as Tracey describes Cherry’s history of violence, including pushing her father off the building and harming childhood peers who crossed her. Tracey’s warning echoes ominously: “She’ll want something you’re not prepared to give, then she’ll find a way to get rid of you” .
The finale ends with Daniel staring out the window at Cherry, his expression shifting from contentment to dread as he realizes the truth about his wife. The recording confirms Laura’s suspicions, but it comes too late to change the outcome .
Key Themes and Interpretations of the Ending
The ending underscores the theme of maternal protection gone awry. Laura’s actions, though extreme, were motivated by a genuine desire to shield her son from harm. Conversely, Tracey’s enabling of Cherry’s behavior highlights how parental loyalty can sometimes perpetuate destructive patterns. The dual-perspective storytelling leaves viewers questioning whether Laura’s ruthlessness was a response to Cherry’s provocations or a product of her own unraveling mental state .
The series also explores class tensions and the lengths individuals will go to secure stability and belonging. Cherry’s lies about her background and her violent history suggest a pattern of using manipulation to ascend socially, while Laura’s wealth and privilege blind her to the consequences of her own actions .
Robin Wright, who directed the series and played Laura, noted: “It’s very authentic as a parent to protect. I’m protecting my cub, and she’s protecting her cub. You don’t get to see what happened in the past… Laura feels like, ‘I knew I had that suspicion in the right department’” .
How the Ending Differs From the Book
The series diverges significantly from Michelle Frances’ original novel. In the book, Cherry is the one who dies, and Laura covers up her death as an accident. Daniel ultimately sides with his mother, moving closer to her after Cherry’s demise. The show’s decision to invert this ending amplifies the tragedy, leaving Daniel trapped in a marriage with a woman he now fears .
This alteration reinforces the show’s focus on the ambiguity of its central characters. While the book clearly vilifies Cherry, the series allows for more nuance, presenting both women as flawed and morally complex .
Also Read: Lee Jun-young Apologizes to Ex-Girlfriends for Past Relationship Shortcomings
