“Single mother Alex turns to housecleaning to make ends meet as she escapes an abusive relationship and overcomes homelessness to create a better life for her daughter, Maddy.”

Rotten Tomatoes

For a victim of domestic violence, a black eye, a split lip is proof of their trauma. It is also easier for the police to document these visible wounds, to use it against the aggressor. Emotional abuse, on the other hand, is almost impossible to prove to social services and the courts, but more importantly, sometimes to the victims themselves. This is the crux of MAID. When a social worker tries to find Alex a place to stay at a domestic violence (DV) shelter, she says she cannot take a bed away from someone who was really abused. Sean taking her phone, isolating her, controlling her every move, smashing a hole in the wall next to her head, and throwing an ashtray at her does not count as DV, because the scars cannot be seen. There was no blood, only glass in her daughter’s hair.

This wonderful script is a masterclass in nuance. Alex is not a hero, not a phoenix that magically rises from the ashes. She goes with the flow. She is numb, complacent, and she repeats the sins of her mother. Until she doesn’t.

The writers also do not demonise the alcoholic Sean, Alex’s manic, hippy mother or the collection of characters she cleans houses for. They show their (mostly failed) attempts at achieving redemption. Their efforts mean something though and they show kindness and grace when you believe all is lost.

Margaret Qualley and her real-life mom, Andie MacDowall, is a treat to watch. Qualley lends a soft, almost dreamy demeanour to Alex. You forgive her complacency and want her to overcome her depression. Watch out for the scene where she is enveloped by the couch.

MacDowall’s Paula initially comes across as a bit over the top as the ditzy mother, but when gravitas is called for, MacDowall delivers with ease.

There is something to learn from this series. It definitively gave me a deeper understanding of domestic violence, of trying to break the cycle. It also made me look differently at the women (and men) in my life. It is a must-see for anyone with a mom, sister, girlfriend. Look out for the signs. The victim might not see it themselves.