Let’s be honest, we knew this project was going to be weird when finding out the Weeknd’s pitch to creator Sam Levinson for it was, ‘If I wanted to start a cult, I could.’
The series premiered its first episode on HBO Max (Esquire will not be saying ‘Max’), on Sunday and fans have not been holding back on their reactions to Sam Levinson’s newest attempt at filmmaking.
The show which stars The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp had gotten a great deal of flack in its Cannes debut, and it seems the reaction was more than warranted, according to Twitter.
What’s the deal with The Idol?
The reaction that seems the most popular so far, is that The Weeknd should not quit his day-job as a Grammy award winning singer-songwriter.
“Edgy” in the laziest way possible
Twitter critics have also seen a trend in the show’s display of what teenagers may find cool; such as in the show’s main character being Cigarettes.
Since Alexa Demie’s character Maddie Perez of Euphoria fame makes a cameo, this show is set in 2022 or at the least “current times”. Who smokes like Tommy Shelby in 2023, Sam? It’s bad for the wrinkles.
Fans have also been mocking the hate-watchers, as a considerably loud group on Twitter said they would boycott the show entirely post-Cannes reception.
The show also marks an acting debut for K-POP star Jennie Ruby Jane or Jennie Kim of Blackpink fame. Levinson is smart for including celebs with built-in audiences in his most “ambitious” project yet, as they have really softened the reactionary blow.
It’s just, kind of gross.
This is the kind of show that you might accidentally start with your parents and then immediately panic to find the remote to turn-off and end the brutal discomfort.
Though you could argue that the project is a critique of the wild things shown, and that you’re supposed to hate certain characters or feel discomfort, it’s definitely not for everyone- with fans largely making fun of how Levinson has managed to sexify nearly everything about the show.
Fans have also called the show problematic, for the crazier pieces of dialogue such as when Depp’s character responds to another calling Tesfaye’s character “rapey”, by saying she “likes that about him”.
Reaction hasn’t been 100% bad
Funnily enough the production does have a vocal “cult” audience, with some fans making embarrassed confessions that they do in fact, enjoy the show.
The Idol is streaming exclusively on OSN Plus in the Middle East, you can watch it here.