The upcoming eight-episode series “Vladimir,” featuring Rachel Weisz in a leading role, explores the intense fixation of a middle-aged professor on her charming younger colleague, setting the stage for a deep dive into themes of desire and the complexities of aging. Weisz, who not only stars but also serves as an executive producer, describes the show as a “heightened fairy tale,” offering viewers a surreal yet relatable perspective.
Through a blend of comedy and drama, “Vladimir” illuminates the protagonist’s inner turmoil as her writing career stagnates and her relationships falter. As she grapples with her own insecurities regarding aging, feelings of inadequacy, and a waning sense of desire, her life takes a sharp turn following her obsession with the charismatic young writer, Vladimir, portrayed by Leo Woodall. “Her fantasy is about the power of desire,” Weisz remarks, emphasizing the invigorating thrill the protagonist experiences as she regains her creative spark through this infatuation.
The show is based on Julia May Jonas’s novel, which takes a critical look at gender politics and the dynamics of campus life. Weisz highlights the protagonist’s moral ambiguity, as viewers are granted insight into her thoughts and attitudes while sensing the discrepancies between her internal narrative and reality. Jonas notes that this perspective allows audiences to question the protagonist’s reliability and motivations, creating a complex lens through which desire and obsession are examined.
As the plot unfolds, the protagonist’s struggles intensify amid personal and professional crises, including her husband’s impending trial for past misconduct. The academic backdrop serves as a fertile ground for exploring the entangled lives and hidden desires of faculty and students, painting a vivid picture of the pressures that come with a seemingly idyllic world of higher education.
The title “Vladimir” cleverly subverts expectations, reflecting a narrative driven by female desire, fashionable in its approach to a topic often explored from male perspectives. With Weisz’s direct address to the camera, the series poses thought-provoking questions about self-presentation and the nature of truth in personal storytelling, allowing for diverse interpretations of each character’s intentions.
As viewers are drawn into the protagonist’s obsessive journey, they will witness not only her struggles with lust and inspiration but also the broader societal implications of desire and power dynamics in contemporary culture. With its blend of humor, intrigue, and sensitive commentary on the female experience, “Vladimir” promises to resonate with audiences when it premieres on Netflix on March 5.