The Idol (2023)

I actually thought this was surprisingly good.

It provides a deep insight into a sophisticated, toxic relationship. The many sex scenes are not the main goal; they act as a catalyst to demonstrate the far-reaching toxicity. The idea is to make you feel uncomfortable, because that's how the main character experiences it. It is trauma bonding - manipulation at the highest level, where the victim is brainwashed and no longer knows any better. A heavy subject that is highlighted ruthlessly.

As a result, The Idol certainly contains layers. Jocelyn's traumatized past, her fear of losing everything, the yes-sayers around her, the culture in which Tedros entraps her and the others. The rotten, unhealthy world of the (pop) music industry. The dynamics are everywhere.

By the way, Lily-Rose Depp plays unparalleled. I would never have looked for that behind her. A series that deserves more than to be put down. Too bad about the unnecessary, strange twist at the end. Without that I would have given four stars.

Translated from Dutch · View original

The cinematography, as with Levinson's other series 'Euphoria,' is excellent; beyond that, the series has almost nothing interesting to offer. A wafer-thin storyline, empty characters, and actors unable to elevate a poor script to "mediocre". I don't know what writer/director Amy Seimetz had in store before she left/fired from the series, but it must have been better than what we've been served now.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Not good,

Not because it is allegedly pornographic, not because it condones abuse, but simply because the overall picture is really not good. Mikey already said it above, but the characters + acting + script have been completely pushed aside for some bare tits and semi-sexy scenes. Those semi-sexy scenes are quite daring for a series yes, but if you have to believe some IMDB reviews this is on the verge of pornography, well, you're not watching porn and no European films.

Episode 1 actually starts quite nicely with that intimacy coordinator and that scandal, well, then everything was actually said. It has clearly been decided to keep the characters fairly flat (Sam Levinson has shown with Malcom & Marie/Euphoria that he can create excellent characters), well if you don't have much to offer in terms of style (visually this is a lot less than Euphoria) you get quite an ugly soulless work.

That condoning of abuse, well, I'm not worried about it, glad it's over. 2 stars for Depp's boobies, the sexy scenes, and the soundtrack. Especially That's My Family by Chloe is very beautiful.

2*

Translated from Dutch · View original