Critics Have Seen Seth Rogen’s The Studio, And While Some Call The Apple TV+ Comedy A ‘Must-Watch,’ Others Are More Mixed On It

2025 TV lineup is kicking off in full swing! Starting from March, we’ll see Charlie Cox’s Daredevil back on screen, along with numerous midseason debuts. For those who subscribe to Apple TV+, there’s an exciting new series on the horizon – Seth Rogen’s creation, “The Studio“. This satire takes a humorous look at the present-day Hollywood studio system. Before its double premiere later this month, critics have weighed in with their thoughts, and it seems they have plenty to discuss!

Ahead of the debut of The Studio on Wednesday, March 26th, several critics have already watched the initial four episodes and expressed their early opinions about the show. This is what Time’s Judy Berman had to share in her critique:

The Studio presents a lively, humorous, yet not entirely favorable perspective on an industry engrossed in the current skirmish of the ongoing war between art and commerce. This conflict has been brewing since studios like Warner Bros. were still led by their founders. Remarkably, it stands as the top new show of 2025, and one of the most insightful depictions of Hollywood in recent times – a testament to the industry’s propensity for self-reflection and satire.

The storyline focuses on Rogen’s character, Matt Remick, who takes over as head of a fictitious film studio called Continental Studios. As an ardent movie enthusiast with noble aspirations to avoid repeating the blunders made by other executives in similar roles, it appears that Matt might still end up making the same mistakes, despite his good intentions.

Collider’s Ross Bonaime said this of Rogen’s performance:

In this role, Rogen has an excellent chance to exhibit a deeper, more intricate aspect of his acting abilities, something not often seen. Yet, it also offers ample chances for the boisterous, humorous side of Rogen that many recognize.

Indeed, there’s been an incredible amount of praise for “The Studio” from the critics. Remarkably, it started off with a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on the 18 reviews published so far.

The Hollywood Reporter’s Angie Han wrote this:

The type of awkward humor displayed in the show may not appeal to all viewers; although it softens slightly during the second half of the series, it remains too intense to casually watch or play in the background. However, if you’re open to its chaotic rhythm, this could be a top pick for the best new comedy of 2025.

Although The Studio has gained significant praise from many critics, there are contrasting opinions about its insider perspective on the world of Hollywood’s film industry.

According to Ben Travers from IndieWire, this particular film or series might not appeal to less formal movie and television enthusiasts. To put it in his own terms:

It’s possible that ‘The Studio’ might not attract a wide audience due to its narrow focus and dependence on its well-known cast, making it more appealing to those deeply immersed in pop culture. The satire could be more biting – with the casting episode serving as the most daring example, which is somewhat understated – but the humor remains consistent, the narrative engaging, and the format neatly episodic. Despite numerous self-satires of Hollywood throughout history, experiencing the joke still feels enjoyable.

Initially when “The Studio” debuted in November, it tantalized viewers with a variety of cameos from upcoming episodes featuring Martin Scorsese, Bryan Cranston, Anthony Mackie, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, and Charlize Theron, alongside the main cast consisting of Catherine O’Hara, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, and Kathryn Hahn. Critics have pointed out that stars like Zac Efron, Ron Howard, Johnny Knoxville, among others, portray themselves in the new series.

Although the show’s cast and humor has won over a lot of viewers, not everyone is fully convinced yet, as expressed by TV Line’s Dave Nemetz.

The film feels rather self-centered, as if Seth Rogen and his companions penned it primarily for their amusement without much consideration for the audience. The speed is breakneck, filled with rapid-fire dialogues akin to a hurried walk-and-talk, accompanied by an agitated jazz soundtrack reminiscent of Birdman’s Oscar-winning score. This pace can become quite tiring over time. Regrettably, it doesn’t elicit the laughter I expected. It’s amusing at times, but not side-splittingly funny, even when it attempts to be so with excessive slapstick humor. It lacks the cutting edge to critically dissect Hollywood effectively. Furthermore, the film doesn’t create a strong emotional connection because the protagonist, Matt, has no life beyond his job, making the stakes seem relatively low.

Although numerous reviewers are eagerly praising The Studio as one of the standout series of the year so far, it appears that there are several justifiable points of contention, with a major one being its somewhat specialized nature.

As a passionate film lover, I must say that the anticipation for the new Apple TV+ show seems to be a bit hit-or-miss for some folks. But if you’re fond of comedies with a unique twist, this show could be an absolute riot and a delightful watch!

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2025-03-09 00:37