HBO’s new drama series, “The Idol,” created by Sam Levinson and starring Lily-Rose Depp, has generated significant buzz due to reports of production issues and mixed reviews from the Cannes Film Festival. However, while the premiere episode may not be as terrible or offensive as anticipated, it suffers from a different flaw – it is simply dull.
“The Idol” adds itself to the long list of movies and TV shows that delve into the dark side of the music and entertainment industry. While aiming for provocation, the show mostly relies on tired clichés and wooden performances.
Lily-Rose Depp portrays Jocelyn, a pop star resembling Britney Spears (the comparison is explicitly drawn), who aims to revive her career following an undisclosed breakdown. The episode introduces her amidst the chaos of her handlers managing a public-relations crisis caused by the leakage of a private photo.
However, this setup feels like an extended teaser, as Jocelyn eventually agrees to a night out at a club where she encounters Tedros (played by Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye), the club’s enigmatic owner, and seemingly feels an instant connection. Depp’s limited range of expressions throughout the episode makes it challenging to gauge her character’s true emotions.
Despite her assistant’s concerns (portrayed by Rachel Sennott) about Tedros being a bad influence, Jocelyn invites him over to listen to her unreleased single. This sets the stage for Tedros to adopt a Svengali-like persona, urging Jocelyn to embrace her sexuality to enhance her authenticity as a singer.
While the direction of “The Idol” remains uncertain, if the first episode is any indication, it does not promise much excitement. Unlike Levinson’s previous work, “Euphoria,” which fearlessly explores sexuality among teenage characters (portrayed by older actors), the glitzy backdrop of “The Idol” fails to provide the edgy or distinctive feel the series aims for.
HBO’s decision to withhold advance screenings for critics who did not attend the Cannes screening suggests a desire to avoid negative reviews before viewers have a chance to watch. However, as history shows, one can run but not hide. Ironically, Tedros’ advice to Jocelyn – “You’ve gotta stop caring what people think” – takes on a bitter tone in light of this decision.
During another conversation, Tedros reflects on Jocelyn’s enviable position as a pop star, stating, “You’ve got the best job in the world. You should be having way more fun.” Unfortunately, “The Idol” fails to deliver on that promise of enjoyment.
“The Idol” premiered on HBO on June 4.