The Idol is Impossible to Criticize

Putting a spotlight on The Idol's creative intent.

0:00 Intro and Warnings
1:06 Controversy
4:02 Confusion
10:32 Commentary
17:51 Camp
21:05 Engagement
23:16 The Silver Lining

#theidol #hbomax #meeptop #hbomax

description tags: The Idol (2023), HBO, A24, Sam Levinson, The Weeknd, Lily Rose Depp, review, analysis, video essay, critique, review, bad, worst, sucks, not good, cringe, explained

[taylorgayhart]

The fact that Sam Levingson called Tedros, a man who abused multiple people ON SCREEN, who sex trafficked women, and was a cult leader, the “victim all along” is everything I need to know about him.

[dra]

It is some sort of poetic justice to see a break in the "all press is good press", because so much bad was said about this show that nobody wanted to watch it. We want to see our favorite content creators talk about it, not actually see it ourselves.

[ubergamer]

The Weeknd and Sam Levinson ruined what could've been a FANTASTIC cautionary tale about the industry. Instead of being a cautionary tale, they showed Hollywood for what THEY view it as... cults, drugs, sex, abuse, and manipulation.

That's what they care about. That's it. They didn't properly touch on Jocelyn's mental health issues, her creative direction clashing with her team, or her rivalry with Dyanne.

[trinaq]

This is probably one of the worst shows of 2023 so far. Also, it made me disgusted that they revealed Chloe to be underage, RIGHT after showing her naked. They could have easily made her early 20s, since her being a minor didn't even affect the plot.

[EllieDoesStuff-iizb]

penguinz0 said the show was worse than Velma and I agree. While Velma was an unpleasant and unlikeable character, the way The Idol framed Tedros as the real victim and vilified Jocelyn, while treating her as a sex object, is downright fucking deplorable. Also, the fact Sam Pervinson and The Weekend wanted to throw out a female's perspective, which could've made the show good, is blatant misogynistic behavior on both their parts.

[amoraacho]

I just wanna see Amy’s version
From the leaks it looks so early 2000’s girl pop and so fun

[bees.]

Every time I hear that ping noise, I know he's coming. I don't check under my bed for the boogeyman, I check for Tedros Tedros.

[pixie]

Okay but even though it’s not the only point of the show I’m curious as to how Sam Levinson turns everything into just overly sexual material involving underage characters and just generally graphic sex. It seems like almost like a fetish thing seeing attractive female actresses in vulnerable sexual situations usually getting humiliated.

[ck]

'tonally inconsistent and illogical plot twists' yes. part of me thinks the plot twists were placed to try and hide the giant plot holes and empty characterization. i am fascinated by the fact that $75 million was thrown at this garbage fire.

[ripple]

Watching this made me think of the show Maid; that was imo a successful depiction of how abusers can fool you to keep you coming back and a successful way to manipulate the audience. It starts with the very clear fact that her boyfriend is abusive, and then as the series progresses we learn more about his backstory, see his vulnerable side, see him stepping up as a loving caring partner in times she needs him most. So by the time he repeats his abusive behavior the viewer is let down because despite the fact being repeated constantly that abusers won’t change, we were starting to root for him because we wanted to see him move past his trauma and become a better boyfriend. The Idol gives no vulnerability and the only backstory we hear is apparently a lie (which we only learn in the final scenes), so there is no rooting or expectations for any of the characters, they all just seem like annoying people and the “gotcha” moment at the end doesn’t stick, it’s just confusing

[RobVespa]

The Idol illustrates much that is wrong with contemporary show crafting, corporations, marketing, society, and greed. It's terrible. Nice video! Almost had me with the title.

[MaryElizabeth]

I *love* that in their attempt to be subversive and thought-provoking, Sam Levinson and The Weeknd created boring, unmemorable garbage.

[yaku]

so the show that was originally supposed to be about how idols get taken advantage of and how predatory hollywood is made the idol the one taking advantage and being predatory? very very ironic

[dra]

The "holier than thou" stuff matters, though. Explicitly nude scenes involving underage characters. Vilifying an abuser and painting him in a sympathetic light. Making the main victim of the show a surprise con artist who was supposedly in control the whole time despite no groundwork being laid for that the entire show, and direct evidence pointing to the contrary, namely thru the character's habits and other people being witnesses to her past abuse. It tells the narrative that real victims should not be pitied or taken seriously. That the bad guy always has some sort of sympathetic story that should negate his past actions. It matters. Especially when it is very clear that Sam Levinson and The Weeknd didnt intend for this to be satire. They did not want this narrative to be sympathetic towards the victims. At best it's horribly executed shock value, which makes for terrible TV. At worst, it's malicious.

[maymayman]

We are at the point where I wouldn't be surprised if the reason there are dozens of shots close up focusing on characters is just to provide as much source material as possible for reaction GIFs and memes.

[Ghoulstille]

I'm not gonna waste my time criticizing it, Since that is exactly what the Hollywood Beast would want. I'm just glad I didn't waste 5 hours watching it and had YouTuber's do that for me instead.

[inverse_contradiction]

"The Idol is impossible to criticize"
Proceeds to swiftly and effectively criticize The Idol (like a boss)

[kat]

Yeah the amber heard comparison is apt and absolutely disgusting. Shame on everyone involved.

[Digmer]

I think sam wanted to tell the world "weirdos aint weirdos, they just manipulated and victims of their underaged masterminds sociopaths girlfriends. We are just sad people, we aint dangerous, we just sad"

[spy]

I can’t imagine how disappointed a lot of the main stars must be. Lily signed on for Amy’s vision of a 2000’s pop girl and her struggles, a la Britney Spears, and most of the initial filming seemed to be going along with that vision. Then, production was delayed and reshoots were shot with Sam & Abel at the wheel which seem completely opposite of Amy’s vision. By that time, it was too late to back out & I wouldn’t doubt if she was contractually obligated to see it through, regardless of her feelings about the new material. Seeing the finished work at Canne’s must have been a shock and then they have to sit there, smile and answer journalist’s questions like they actually enjoyed the finished project. Horrifying.

Also, I heavily doubt YG would’ve let Jennie sign on for this show if they knew this was what the finished project would be; the initial project would’ve still been provocative for a kpop idol but an interesting step for her career. Whereas this finished show is wayyyy off the rails from expected. The cut clips they’ve released show a lot more of Jennie. I wonder if YG made them cut some of her scenes due to the revisioned show in order to protect her image (bc they wouldn’t let her sign a HBO contract without a clause allowing them some sort of control over her image, lbr).