HBO’s The Idol has provoked controversy since its announcement, with its explicit content and provocative themes generating significant attention. Created by Sam Levinson, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim, the series centers around aspiring pop idol Jocelyn, played by Lily-Rose Depp, and her complex relationship with self-help guru and cult leader Tedros, portrayed by Abel Tesfaye himself. While the series has generated interest, it has also faced numerous problems and mixed reviews, leading to curiosity about the original pre-Levinson Idol’s potential.
The Idol’s splashy premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival received mostly negative reviews from critics, citing graphic sexual content and themes. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes currently reports a 26% rating based on 44 critic reviews, while Metacritic lists the series at a score of 30 out of 100. Some critics have argued that the show’s focus on shock value overshadows its potential for deeper storytelling. However, even prior to its premiere, the program faced controversy over its explicit and controversial nature, with some viewers finding certain scenes disturbing and sparking debates about the purpose and artistic merit of such graphic depictions.
The relationship between Jocelyn and Tedros has also garnered significant scrutiny, with critics questioning power dynamics, consent, and potentially harmful messaging. Some have argued that the series sensationalizes abusive relationships or blurs the lines between consensual acts and coercion, raising ethical concerns about its impact on viewers.
The Idol faced challenges during its production, with its first public sign of trouble emerging when Amy Seimetz departed the project with approximately 80% of the series already filmed. After her departure, Sam Levinson assumed the role of director and embarked on a complete rewrite and reshooting of the entire series, with sources indicating that his creative decisions deviated from the original intent and amplified disturbing sexual content and nudity. These changes have sparked dissatisfaction among crew members and raised questions about the show’s direction, with many believing that it was Abel Tesfaye’s desire for a male-centric storyline, along with Levinson’s version of the story, which pushed for the objectification of women.
With only one episode having premiered, it remains to be seen if any aspect of Seimetz’s original vision for The Idol will make it into the final product, or if the new creative direction for the series has transformed it into an entirely different story. Despite its controversies, new episodes of The Idol premiere every Sunday on HBO and Max, offering viewers an intense and provocative examination of the music industry.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
