The Idol (2023)

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 4, 2023
User Score
2.0

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 267 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 267
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 267
  3. Negative: 213 out of 267
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  1. Aristeia
    Jun 10, 2023
    2
    Pseudo edgy and quite boring unfortunately. So far, Depp and the weeknd have no chemistry whatsoever. The worst thing are the bought positive reviews on this website. Embarrassing
  2. Rebel_Panda
    Jun 9, 2023
    2
    "The Idol" kicks off with its first episode, titled "Pop Tarts & Rat Tales," but expectedly fails to live up to its potential. Set in blistering heat and uncomfortably overexposed lighting at the mansion of a pop star, Jocelyn, fresh out of the mental hospital attempting to get back in the game. The episode follows Jocelyn's management team as they navigate the aftermath of a humiliating"The Idol" kicks off with its first episode, titled "Pop Tarts & Rat Tales," but expectedly fails to live up to its potential. Set in blistering heat and uncomfortably overexposed lighting at the mansion of a pop star, Jocelyn, fresh out of the mental hospital attempting to get back in the game. The episode follows Jocelyn's management team as they navigate the aftermath of a humiliating photo leak on social media. Regrettably, the banter between the characters falls flat, leaving viewers with insufferably annoying individuals who fail to entertain in any meaningful way.

    One of the show's strengths should have been the cast, featuring talented actors like Dan Levy and Rachel Sennot, known for their comedic prowess. However, their performances suffer due to the lackluster material they are given. With no compelling characters to root for or view the drama through, the episode feels like a never-ending trainwreck that fails to engage the audience.

    Additionally, The Weekend's involvement in the series is disappointing. Rather than attempting to act, he simply appears as himself, lacking vocal inflections, body language, or facial expressions that would indicate any effort to portray a character. His aimless wandering around the set leaves much to be desired, especially for fans expecting to see his talent extend beyond his music.

    The second half of the episode takes an unpleasant turn, shifting the setting to Tedros' supposedly depraved nightclub. The strobing lights and poor lighting make it difficult to discern details, adding to the overall unpleasant viewing experience. Furthermore, a peculiarly long scene featuring Jocelyn engaging in self-pleasure seems more fetishistic and creepy than empowering, lacking the intended impact and instead veering into uncomfortable territory.

    It becomes clear that "The Idol" lacks self-awareness, as evident in a later scene where Rachel Sennot's character comments on Tedros' "rapey-vibe," and Jocelyn surprisingly responds positively to it. This unfortunate dialogue choice raises questions about the show's writing quality and the decision-making process behind such an awful script. Every attempt at satire such as this falls flat on the floor, or perhaps beneath ground level to become exactly what it attempts to satirize. Sleazy, gratuitous, and pretentious.

    Jocelyn's insecurity over her first pop-song single soon to be released is her main relatable aspect. Her conversation with Tedros in which she plays part of the song shows promise of character development. Unfortunately it is immediately followed by an awkward and out of place BDSM scene. It is frankly embarrassing that they referenced Basic Instinct, which is infinitely more provocative.

    The first episode of "The Idol" fails to impress. With uninteresting characters, a lack of humor, questionable choices in visual presentation, and poorly written dialogue, the series struggles to find its footing. Despite the talented cast involved, their efforts are hindered by the subpar material they have to work with. Maybe future episodes will address these shortcomings and offer a more engaging and thoughtfully executed viewing experience. But I won't hold my breath.    … Expand
  3. mbyrly
    Jun 5, 2023
    2
    nonsense vulgar sh*t for 14 y.o fans of Euphoria. Disrespect for Abel. Maybe soundtrack album can fix this bullsh*t i mean, marketing, but who knows
  4. Thor1001
    Jun 5, 2023
    3
    Amo o The Weeknd mas não sei porque todo cantor quando vai fazer um filme ou série têm que fazer com essa temática adulta. A série têm vários erros, alguns exemplos são as mulheres exploradas sexualmente de forma gratuita, e o roteiro todo bagunçado, é triste, pois tinha esperanças nessa série, a e lembrando que têm a A24 envolvida e mesmo assim é muito ruim.
  5. Pylgrim_Europa
    Jun 5, 2023
    0
    It's a shame that the positive reviews are all planted. Think about the language used. "This is tastefully and masterfully done. This show is a mesmerizing daydream mixed with a dark nightmare fantasy". Professional writer? At least someone who got paid.

    Do a show on how easily opinions are manipulated by the entertainment industry in order to sell a bad product. And that is all this    It's a shame that the positive reviews are all planted. Think about the language used. "This is tastefully and masterfully done. This show is a mesmerizing daydream mixed with a dark nightmare fantasy". Professional writer? At least someone who got paid.

    Do a show on how easily opinions are manipulated by the entertainment industry in order to sell a bad product. And that is all this show is, a product no one needs.    … Expand
  6. teatom
    Jun 5, 2023
    0
    It's like a 13 year olds idea of what an exciting show should be.
    Everything is trying to be as in your face as possible that it forgets that nuance and subtlety is where a scripts humanity lives.
    Being so desperate and heavy-handed makes the show, at best, feel naive and at worst extremely dull and more than a little worthy of mockery, such is the complete lack of skill with which the    It's like a 13 year olds idea of what an exciting show should be.
    Everything is trying to be as in your face as possible that it forgets that nuance and subtlety is where a scripts humanity lives.
    Being so desperate and heavy-handed makes the show, at best, feel naive and at worst extremely dull and more than a little worthy of mockery, such is the complete lack of skill with which the whole thing has been executed.    … Expand
  7. erolsabadosh
    Jun 8, 2023
    1
    Nicely shot and that's about where the positives end. The script is laughably bad and so is a lot of the acting. Torture to get through.
  8. Kairo98
    Jun 6, 2023
    0
    Just an horrible porn attemp, Idol where? trash Characters, Bad writing, only photography has any real value
  9. jbiunlkn
    Jun 5, 2023
    1
    The Idol plays out like an hour long perfume ad. It desperately strives to be edgy, but is ultimately dull and lifeless.
  10. DryedMangoez
    Jun 5, 2023
    0
    The show is absolute trash. And not in an "Ooo edgy" kind of way, it's just twisted nonsense.
  11. PotterheadGleek
    Jun 5, 2023
    2
    If The Idol had been released 15 o 20 years ago, it could've been a moderate success. "The Weeknd plot" I don't see it as a relevant thing for the series, I believe it could've just gone with "The Joselyn plot" of the teenage pop star returning after a mental breakdown. The Weeknd is not an actor. His acting is below average and it's creepy. Lily Rose and Rachel are good, and they give aIf The Idol had been released 15 o 20 years ago, it could've been a moderate success. "The Weeknd plot" I don't see it as a relevant thing for the series, I believe it could've just gone with "The Joselyn plot" of the teenage pop star returning after a mental breakdown. The Weeknd is not an actor. His acting is below average and it's creepy. Lily Rose and Rachel are good, and they give a lot to the plot.… Expand
  12. raporgi
    Jun 5, 2023
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. hahhahahahahaha! Just embarassing. Its like a fanfiction fanfiction version of 52 craps of Grey meets Basic Bunghole! You cant buy the Weekend as some kind Alpha Beaver Slayer Christian Brey type at all. The attempts at BDSM just fall flat on their face. Instead of a dead body to loop in the viewers we get a who spilled the mayo shot as the mystery.… Expand
  13. bertobellamy
    Jun 4, 2023
    3
    Yes, the male gaze of a very feminine problem doesn't help at all, but the main problem with the first episode at least is that is boring. You don't get to care about these characters. And the plot is more preoccupied with making real-world references than developing its characters. Shame.
  14. mayatheender
    Jun 4, 2023
    0
    Absolute trash, horrible acting there is nothing going on for it except Jennie Ruby Jane and even her does not warrant it any points
  15. sheridan89
    Jun 5, 2023
    0
    The worst thing about the idol is the weeknd it was like seeing a perverted dracula badly dressed.
  16. Skylies
    Jun 4, 2023
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Bland acting everything is bland i'm not surprised all of them are first timers in acting. The Weekend's is 1/10 he needs to focus on creating music rather than being an actor.… Expand
  17. Ilenaaase
    Jun 5, 2023
    1
    Jennie really deserves to play porn
  18. pukka
    Jun 4, 2023
    0
    The Idol is like an iPhone with an empty battery : shiny and useless. The OK given by HBO to produce this vacuous and narcissistic delirium is quite unsettling. Although, I must say that I didn't watch it high on acid on the screen of my private jet commuting from LAX to Palm Springs.
  19. thatthew
    Jun 4, 2023
    0
    literally the most sexist, disgusting and poorly made thing i’ve ever watched! and wtf???? a popstar named jocelyn ??????!!! delusional
  20. Jelsa
    Jun 4, 2023
    0
    Totally Totally Totally Totally Totally Totally Totally Totally Totally Disappointment.
  21. giomax
    Jun 21, 2023
    0
    Should be illegal. Really bad. Lilly is just a nepo star who can’t act well but got the role because of the f weird and sickness fantasy of Sam and The Wekkend. By the way TW ruin his career with this snow cause you can see he is mirroring him self in this f up character
  22. Acrofilo
    Jun 12, 2023
    0
    Its more and more obvious from a few years now that HBO is heavily leaning on AI and focus groups to decide where to take each story instead of having solid proposals from the get go. They try to make everyone happy and that's why these products are soulless. This one is also needlessly nasty.
  23. enut_butter
    Jun 27, 2023
    0
    Intensely bad. Degenerate, low IQ, poorly written, unlikable characters, terrible acting. HBO has been awful in recent years but this show indicates that whatever magic they may have been retaining is long gone. Just a despicable piece of television, through and through.
  24. wtriplet
    Jun 12, 2023
    3
    It isn't as bad as some people are saying, but also isn't very good. The first problem is The Weekend can't act and he and Depp have the chemistry of 2 pot plants. The second problem is how slow and boring it is.
    But it is beautiful to look at. There are some interesting scenes between the side characters and Depp does a decent Britney impression. The whole thing could have been a decent    It isn't as bad as some people are saying, but also isn't very good. The first problem is The Weekend can't act and he and Depp have the chemistry of 2 pot plants. The second problem is how slow and boring it is.
    But it is beautiful to look at. There are some interesting scenes between the side characters and Depp does a decent Britney impression. The whole thing could have been a decent guilty pleasure, if not for The Weeknd.    … Expand
  25. LatinCritic13
    Jun 17, 2023
    3
    The Idol is a big beautiful, dark, twisted fantasy that Sam Levinson and The Weeknd has ever came up with after Euphoria's success. The cinematography and the production design is immaculately crafted that captivates the glitz, glamour, and gurus of superstardom, but fails to deliver a concise story that actually feels like a sleazy expensive pornography movie.
  26. Soulshocker
    Jul 14, 2023
    0
    We are a culture in deep decline, glorifying violence and mental illness. Evil permeates this world, this series if proof of it. It's like they are saying: let's not feed a positive and hopeful story, but shove horribleness down their throats.
  27. Miarael
    Jul 25, 2023
    1
    It's just disgusting to create such a TV show. I love the weeknd music but this is his worst ever project, all that sex and all the stuff are really but really disgusting
  28. vehliks
    Jul 9, 2023
    0
    awful show, awful ending, awful cast, awful charakters, awful plotlines, awful writing, awful dialogues, awful sex scenes
  29. Exceladeogun
    Jul 8, 2023
    2
    The Idol

    After five weeks of torture, The Idol ends on a chaotic and laughable note, without any trace of redeemability. With a plot that aims to shock, The Idol is told from a tastelessly sexual male gaze oriented point-of-view. It has a lot to say but fails to bring that to the screen. It offers more questions than answers. The Idol would have had a better story without Tedros (The    The Idol

    After five weeks of torture, The Idol ends on a chaotic and laughable note, without any trace of redeemability.

    With a plot that aims to shock, The Idol is told from a tastelessly sexual male gaze oriented point-of-view. It has a lot to say but fails to bring that to the screen. It offers more questions than answers. The Idol would have had a better story without Tedros (The Weeknd's character), which would have allowed for a better foray into the music industry. Scenes of Dyanne (played by Blackpink's Jennie) promptly getting and potentially losing her record deal could have been expanded on to show the inner workings of the music industry; Nikki, the music executive, is also a despicable character that could have been explored better. At the end of the series, The Idol tries to make us believe that Jocelyn is the mastermind, and that Tedros is a pitiable and innocent man that got entrapped by her; utter ****

    The plot hinders whatever great acting could have come from this series. The Weeknd and Tedros are horrible and one-dimensional, and it's risible that his portrayal is meant to give off vibes of a manipulative cult leader, when he's nothing more than a 'rap*y cu*t' with a rattail (brilliantly described by Rachel Sennott's Leia). Lily Rose Depp deserved a better script for her first film project.

    The best thing The Idol has to offer is the generic yet catchy tune that's 'World Class Sinner/I'm a fr**k'.

    In summary, The Idol was a missed opportunity at showing the inner workings of the music industry and the exploitation that occurs behind the scenes.

    2/10 (one point for World Class Sinner and another point for Da'vine Joy Randolph.)    … Expand
  30. Fabiancsc
    Jul 24, 2023
    3
    What a pity that something that promised quality resulye in endless bad performances and a mediocre scripIt
  31. pangipingu
    Jul 3, 2023
    0
    Hands down, the worst TV show I've seen in my life. Even IRIB series are better than this **** Can't imagine how ashamed HBO executives must be. Someone should remind Levinson Jr. that pushing people's buttons is not necessarily a good thing.
  32. tavaresun
    Jul 3, 2023
    0
    holy moly this is god damm trash series, just blame yourself if you waste your time with this bullsh*t
  33. Hyrus
    Jul 21, 2023
    0
    boring as ****

    borin

    im just making sure the minimum characters for a review is hit bc i dont have much to say



    it was boring

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Most Discussed TV Season of 2023

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
27

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 24
  3. Negative: 16 out of 24
  1. The Observer (UK)
    Reviewed by: Barbara Ellen
    Sep 10, 2024
    20
    On one level, The Idol is yet another risible, cliche-riddled take on the music biz in which no cast member (Hank Azaria, Jane Adams) is permitted to speak normally. On another, it’s a post-#MeToo melodrama with a lead character whose heavily semaphored empowerment puts viewers squarely at fault if they dare to question the sleaze and cynicism on display.
    Read full review
  2. ABC News
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    Jun 9, 2023
    0
    The only thing shocking about this vanity production from The Weeknd, whose acting runs the gamut from A to B, is how shockingly bad it is. From its leering male gaze to its juvenile eroticism and cringy dialogue, the premiere episode hits a new low in creative ineptitude.
    Read full review
  3. The Times
    Reviewed by: Carol Midgley
    Jun 7, 2023
    40
    Here is a show purporting to satirise sexual exploitation while relishing it.
    Read full review
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