The Studio Review: Lightening In A Bottle

The following spoiler-free review of Apple TV+ series ‘The Studio’ is based on 10 episodes shared with critics as screeners. These episodes will air from March 26 to May 21. The series will premiere at SXSW film festival on March 7.

There is something truly magical about The Studio. I can’t really put my finger on what it is. The show made me feel for a rich, white studio head in Hollywood. Seth Rogan plays Matt Remick, the head of Continental productions. Matt gets a ‘film boner’ when he is on a movie set. He truly loves cinema. Heck, I would love if there is a storyline in future where he ditches his studio job to make a movie full-time.

But for now, Matt must take difficult calls. These creative calls range from edits that might not go down well with the director’s vision. Sometimes, these calls are about killing independent films to make ‘movies’ that can make the production house millions at the box office.

In a strange way, I empathized with Matt’s predicament as he tried to strike a balance between box office hits and arthouse cinema (you know, the kind of films Martin Scorcese makes). Matt is the designated bad guy in his team. He has to deliver harsh feedback, clip the creative wings of the filmmaker and sometimes suggest changes that wouldn’t go down well with anyone involved in the film.

Besides navigating the complicated studio dynamics, Matt also makes time for dating. An episode in the first season showsMatt’s affair with a pediatric onclogist. The episode features the contentious art vs science debate which is meant to critique the self-importance of those in the movie business.

This season features an episode which (quite hilariously) tackles diversity and inclusion. The ‘Golden Globes’ episode will make you tear up (or perhaps curl yourself up in a blanket and cry a little). And don’t even get me started on the cameos! No spoilers but your jaw will hit the ground when you find out the sheer star power that the show packs in terms of special appearances (Marvel, take notes).

Watch out for Kathryn Hahn who plays Maya, the cool, swaggy marketing head who prioritizes financial gains over everything else. The hot-and-cold dynamic between Sal Seperstein (aka, the ‘whitest’ guy in their team, played by the likeable Ike Barinholtz) and Quinn (Chase Sui Wonders) will keep you hooked.

The Studio is a love letter to Hollywood as we know it. It both celebrates and critiques the production honchos who try their best not to sell their conscience while balancing the financial constrains of running a studio. Seth Rogan has delivered the performance of a lifetime. He is immensely likeable as a goofy, earnest studio head who tries his best to support independent filmmaking while keeping the occupational hazards out of his way.

Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 5 stars

The Studio will premiere on Apple TV+ on March 26.