The highly debated series, “The Idol,” is now available to stream on Showmax.
Set against the glitzy backdrop of Hollywood’s music industry, this provocative drama has been the talk of the town.
Led by the talented Lily-Rose Depp as the determined Jocelyn, The Idol introduces us to a mysterious nightclub impresario, portrayed by none other than Abel Tesfaye, renowned as the Canadian singer-songwriter and record producer, The Weeknd.
Co-created by Sam Levinson of Euphoria fame, along with Tesfaye and Reza Fahim, The Idol delves into the life of a young pop star who, amidst a nervous breakdown that shatters her once-glorious career, falls into the clutches of a mesmerizing cult leader. The official synopsis tantalizes us with its promise: “Jocelyn, an aspiring pop idol who, after experiencing a tumultuous nervous breakdown resulting in the cancellation of her last tour, embarks on a mission to reclaim her title as America’s sexiest pop star. In the process, she becomes entangled in a complex relationship with Tedros, a charismatic self-help guru and the enigmatic head of a contemporary cult.”
With such a gripping premise, it’s no surprise that controversy has found its way to the series. The Idol currently holds a 27% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, igniting passionate debates among critics and viewers alike.
Collider, for one, found Sam Levinson’s approach to the show’s sex scenes “underwhelming” and “bland,” expressing their disappointment by stating that “there’s no substance behind his style.” Meanwhile, Variety delivered a scathing critique of the script penned by Levinson, Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim, accusing it of being “calculated to deceive audiences into believing they’re witnessing the inner workings of Hollywood, while relying heavily on tired clichés borrowed from Sidney Sheldon novels and softcore pornography.”
Despite the mixed reception, The Idol promises an immersive and thought-provoking journey into the darker side of fame and the lengths one will go to reclaim it.
Overall, the series falls victim to its own hype, lacking taste and failing to deliver gripping moments. The script falls flat, leaving much to be desired.
HBO initially shot the series in 2021, but the project was ultimately scrapped. Levinson, the co-creator, revealed that after reviewing the early cuts with The Weeknd, they felt the initial iteration didn’t meet their expectations. Inspired by The Weeknd’s transformation as a performer, they made the difficult decision to take the show in a new direction with the support of HBO. This included changes in location, utilizing The Weeknd’s own house in Bel Air as a key set, and adopting a multi-camera approach to help him feel more at ease. The adjustments aimed to enhance the show’s potential, leading to a fresh and improved storytelling experience.
You can stream this series on Showmax which new episodes released weekly.
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