The Studio (2025)

Beautifully filmed, a wonderful soundtrack with a kind of great-sounding jazz drums that accompany the scenes. Nicely paced, the pace is good. However, I have a problem with the lead actor, Seth Rogen, who feels like he's just being himself, an annoyingly clueless stoner who I've seen him play so many times, and who is also way over his head in the role of movie boss. The humor, like in series like Parks and Recreation, is on a much higher level than here. So, it's enjoyable, but not great. I find the many "inside jokes" about Hollywood more snobbish than funny. If that's all it is, pfffff.

Translated from Dutch · View original

The Studio is one of those series that clearly considers itself very witty and sharp, but it mostly left me feeling tired. The intention is clear: a satirical look at the entertainment industry, peppered with self-deprecation and "meta" humor. In practice, however, it feels more like a prolonged internal joke than genuine, well-placed satire. It also really irritated me at times.

The biggest problem is the humor. It's often clichéd, detached, and self-absorbed. Many jokes rely on familiarity for those familiar with the scene, and less on universal timing or genuine surprise. Cleverly written? Yes, indeed. Laugh out loud? No.

Moreover, the pace is slow and drawn out. While satire benefits from sharpness and pace, The Studio gets bogged down in conversation, winks, and explanations. It often feels as if the series is more interested in showcasing its intelligence than actually entertaining the viewer.

The high ratings are therefore quite understandable. For me, it remained primarily "interesting" but emotionally empty.

Translated from Dutch · View original