The Idol Episode 1 Review: This latest HBO series is created by the music world icon- The Weeknd, Reza Fahim, and Euphoria’s Sam Levinson. Sam Levinson directs the drama under the production company banners of The Reasonable Bunch, Manic Phase, Little Lamb, People Pleaser, Bron, A24 and HBO Entertainment.
Lily-Rose Depp plays the major roles of Jocelyn and Abel Tesfaye aka The Weeknd as Tedros. The show features a considerable support cast that includes Suzanna Son as Chloe, Troye Sivan as Xander, Jennie Ruby Jane as Dyanne, Moses Sumney as Izaak, Jane Adams as Nikki Katz, Dan Levy as Jocelyn’s publicist, Eli Roth as Andrew Finkelstein, Rachel Sennott as Leia, Hari Nef as Talia, Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Destiny, Hank Azaria as Chaim, Melanie Liburd as Jenna, Kate Lyn Sheil as Amy alongside Tunde Adebimpe, Elizabeth Berkley, Nico Hiraga, Anne Heche, Maya Eshet, Tyson Ritter, Liz Caribel Sierra, Karl Glusman, Sophie Mudd, Charly Summer, Mitch Modes and more.
The first episode is out now and is titled Pop Tarts & Rat Tales. It is directed by Sam Levinson with a story by Abel Tesfaye, Reza Fahim, and Sam Levinson and a teleplay by Sam Levinson. The runtime for the episode is 54 minutes.
– HBO Max’s The Idol Episode 1 Review Does Not Contain Spoilers –
The Idol Episode 1 Review
When it’s Sam Levinson you can always assume that there is going to be content to make you ponder as there are going to be graphic scenes of nudity, sex and drugs. And, when you start The Idol Episode 1, you do not mind. Lily-Rose Depp is a picture to behold as she goes through a series of emotions while her profile is being shot; something close to a Marilyn Monroe audition tape. In the next few minutes, Jane Adams’ Nikki delivers the line of the century calling mental health sexy, truly representing where woke-ism is taking us and it is all going well. Until it becomes more about the around and about and less about the characters present.
The Idol Episode 1 introduces us to Jocelyn aka Joss, played by Depp. One can call her somewhat this era representation of Britney Spears mixed with Sharon Tate. Levinson’s script makes us privy to this information even before we ask, almost hinting at the tragedy a woman is. With blonde hair and smoky eyes, Joss is set to make her comeback into the music industry after her mother passed away and after her mental breakdown episode.
She is shooting for her new album and learning the choreography for the music she has made. She can see all eyes on her, distant, trying to be comforting but, all alien. What she does not know is that while she is busy going about her day, her team has been beating its head against a rock because a very compromising photo of her has leaked on the internet and it has sent everyone into crisis mode.
By the time Joss knows about the situation or is informed, it is more than half the world that has seen the picture. She holds herself together. She does not break down but, plans an escape. Later that night she along with her friends, who are also a part of her team visit a nightclub where she meets Tedros- a man of his own making.
The Idol Episode 1: Final Thoughts
Max’s The Idol is loaded with references, from Monroe to the Mary Jane walk, it is all there if you look closely. But then there is also Kendall Jenner’s 818 bottle in the opening segment if you are focused on that. What we are trying to say is that perspective matters when you are watching a show.
Having said that, it is impossible to overlook that The Idol is going to be a show about the male gaze, be it concerning the music industry or our titular character at the centre of the show. It has the potential to be more but, it is a sad realization that sinks in after the first episode that it might not be.
You can watch The Idol Episode 1 now streaming on Max.
Let us know your thoughts about the latest episode in the comments down below.