Mountainhead (Max)

Jesse Armstrong's first project since 'Succession' is dead-on and dehumanizing

What is it? Four friends reunite during worldwide economic turmoil.

Who it’s for? Succession addicts going through withdrawal, those obsessed (love or hate) with the tech world, fans of talky chamber pieces, if you love great actors going at it

Who should avoid? Those tired of ultra-rich shows/movies, if you like likable characters, if you’re looking for subtle satire, if you’re angry enough with the present tech oligopoly already

Watch if you like: Succession, The Death of Stalin, Veep, Silicon Valley, The Menu

Schmear’s Verdict: A razor-sharp tech satire that channels Succession’s venom with a funny cast and just enough farce to make its apocalyptic absurdity sing.

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Mountainhead is really fucking funny and bleak, with so many one-liners that made me realize just how much I miss Succession. This is basically a movie-length version of the “Is France going to make it?” joke from the Season 4 retreat with Tom Wambsgans. And then imagine four Kendall Roys in a room—only richer.

I loved all the performers — Jason Schwartzman, Steve Carell, Corey Michael Smith (an Elon type who has a disturbingly hilarious moment with his own baby), and Ramy Youssef. I don’t think there’s a single weak link in this virtuous circle of hilarity and ridiculousness.

If I had one hesitation, it was the Steve Carell “papa bear” character, who isn’t a natural fit with writer-director Jesse Armstrong’s dialogue. Highfalutin, philosophy-spewing, desperately life-extending. At first, I wasn’t quite sure who he was meant to be (it was later explained he is the eminence grise — Peter Thiel/Marc Andreessen of the group), but by the end, he channels Brick Tamland energy.

Cory Michael Smith, Steve Carell, Ramy Youssef, and Jason Schwartzman

You could make a laundry list of all the tech-isms — “double-click on that,” “like and subscribe” — that are so dead-on. The scariest part is just how dehumanizing these world eaters are about the general population, reflective of how the wealthiest world leaders and top founders must actually think — heliocentric existences with everyone else as NPCs. I would love to hear what Kara Swisher has to say about this whole movie.*

If there’s any way this could’ve leveled up, I thought the ending—while funny and farcical — was predictable. I know this isn’t Jesse Armstrong’s thing, but I was kind of hoping for bolder, Exterminating Angel-style surrealism. I really thought they were going full Lord of the Flies by the end. The farce gets close, but what’s holding this back is a touch more inventiveness.

Jesse Armstrong and Carrell

Still, this is so funny, and there’s nothing like it on TV right now. Instead of whining about this being too on the nose or too “real” to be funny, I’m here commending Armstrong for using his platform not only to take aim at some of the most worthy targets of our time but also to write something fast and witty for amazing performers to sink their teeth into.

Since Succession went the way of the dodo, we’ve lost this type of sharp, incisive satire on TV; let’s celebrate it here.

*After I wrote this, Swisher did indeed interview Armstrong on her podcast.