Watch Tabula Rasa

Tabula Rasa is a Belgian psychological thriller series that was first released on Netflix in 2017. The series is directed by Jonas Govaerts and Kaat Beels and stars Veerle Baetens, Stijn Van Opstal, and Jeroen Perceval. The plot of Tabula Rasa revolves around a young woman named Mie, who is suffering from amnesia. She wakes up in a secured psychiatric facility, unable to recall anything about her past, including the face of her husband and daughter. Her only possession is a diary written in a cryptic code that she can't decipher, adding to her confusion.

Mie's predicament is worsened by her principal doctor, Dr. Jef Declercq, who is far too interested in her case. With time, Mie begins to experience flashbacks of a traumatic incident, involving the disappearance of a man in the woods. However, she can't recall any details of what happened, leading to questions about whether she was involved in the man's disappearance.

Dr. Declercq suspects that Mie is withholding crucial information, and subjects her to hypnosis to unearth her repressed memories. Dr. Declercq becomes increasingly invasive, and the tension between the two increases, leading to a compelling psychological cat-and-mouse game.

As Mie struggles with her amnesia, she is transferred to a different facility where she meets fellow patient Benoit, who believes that he's been kidnapped by the authorities. Benoit's hallucinations and unfounded paranoia cause Mie to question her own sanity, and she finds herself unable to distinguish between reality and delusion.

Mie's husband and daughter also feature in the show and are integral to the progression of events. Her husband Tom is a caring and supportive partner working day and night to try and find his missing wife. Meanwhile, their daughter Ella struggles to come to terms with her mother's disappearance, leading her to harbor dark secrets and even darker intentions.

Tabula Rasa stands out from other psychological thrillers because of its unique premise and execution. The series takes its time to draw out its central mystery, building the suspense skillfully as the viewers are taken deeper into Mie's twisted and unpredictable world. Early on, it becomes apparent that Mie's amnesia is a crucial element of the show's storytelling, prompting the viewer to question whether the things they are seeing on screen are entirely accurate.

The show's focused narrative combines supernatural themes with an overarching sense of unease that keeps the viewer glued to the screen. The psychological horror of Mie's condition also makes it difficult to swallow the notion that her deteriorating mental state is merely a byproduct of her amnesia.

Tabula Rasa has a talented cast, and all contribute to the show's overall quality. Veerle Baetens delivers an outstanding performance as Mie, capturing the emotional complexity of the character effortlessly. The performances of Stijn Van Opstal and Jeroen Perceval, as Mie's husband and therapist, respectively, are also noteworthy.

In conclusion, Tabula Rasa is an intelligently written, well-acted, and hauntingly atmospheric thriller. The show has everything: mystery, terror, and suspense, and it will leave you questioning your beliefs until the final episode. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves psychological dramas and horror films.