Content warning: This post mentions abuse and sexual assault. The Idol has taken over as HBO’s “it girl” and I absolutely hate it. The show, created by Sam Levinson and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, follows Lily-Rose Depp as she plays a popstar doomed to continue the cycle of abuse and trauma started by her mother and her hotshot “friends.”
Before the show even aired, there were allegations of toxicity and bigotry behind the scenes. And after it aired, we all know with certainty there is toxicity and bigotry on screen. (Like, was that hairbrush scene needed? No.) I have yet to watch a single episode, but somehow The Idol has invaded my Twitter timeline and TikTok FYP. All the videos and screencaps I’ve seen have just reaffirmed my decision to steer clear of anything with Levinson’s name on it from here on out. Let’s discuss the lack of depth, rampant sexism, and all-around cringe fest that is The Idol.
The Idol did away with its female director.
Amy Seimetz was the original director for The Idol before Levison got his greasy hands on it. The cited reason for Seimetz’s exit was a “new creative direction,” which she did not agree with. Tesfaye decided it was time for him to explain why there was a change in directors and respond to accusations that the show was “rape-y” and “went from satire to the thing it was satirizing.” His reaction: “I thought the article was ridiculous. I wanted to give a ridiculous response to it.” Sure, whatever you say, man.
Not to mention Rolling Stone pointed out there were rumors flying around that since the director changed the focus of the show became more about Tedros when it was originally just about Jocelyn, accusations that Tesfaye denied.
Levinson tried to recreate Euphoria, but it’s just trauma porn.
Levinson said that Euphoria and The Idol actually take place in the same universe. Alexa Demie, who plays Maddy Perez on Euphoria, made a cameo on the new show in a nightclub scene where she shares the screen with Jocelyn. The Idol was pitched as a darker, more risque Euphoria. It’s certainly both darker and more risque, but in no world is it better. I’m sure you’ve read that Rolling Stone article, the one which finally called The Idol what it is: trauma porn.
Here’s the TLDR: Rolling Stone published interviews with anonymous sources who said the show “has gone wildly, disgustingly off the rails.” It included allegations of firings, hidden scripts and a wasted $75 million budget. Commenters under Rolling Stone’s post argued over whether the show was just a “rape fantasy” or art.
Jocelyn is a poorly written protagonist.
Sure, her makeup slays and her looks embody the “femme fatale,” but Jocelyn is not the multi-faceted Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera she fronts as. Her one-dimensional character is surrounded by abusive, deceitful social leeches who only have their best interest in mind. The abuse (or, as Leia flat out says it, assault) that gets so much focus is horrifying, and it isn’t clear what we’re supposed to take away from it other than shock. Tedros beats Jocelyn with her mother’s weapon of choice and, with mascara streaks running down her face, they have sex right after. Like… excuse me? Izzak even says right at the start, “She’s not a human being. She’s a star. And stars belong to the world,” further objectifying our main character.
In one of the more graphic scenes, when Tedros is done torturing Xander with a shock collar, he convinces Jocelyn to heal herself. She has to come forward about how her mother abused her. She posts a video explaining her past to her followers and then she snorts coke and gets naked on camera. Why do we need to watch this?
And you already know Levinson gets great shots of Depp’s sexual assets, zooming in on every nook and cranny to show the audience how she writhes when she’s in pain while Tedros beats her (but in a sexy way). Jocelyn is shown to be a victim and manipulated by the other characters, but she’s an extremely poorly written one.
In the end, you can enjoy what you want. I just encourage you to be critical of the media you consume and the consequences of its creation. We can all agree we don’t need any guys on Tinder trying to act like they’re Tedros.
If you or someone you know is seeking help for mental health concerns, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website, or call 1-800-950-NAMI(6264). For confidential treatment referrals, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website, or call the National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP(4357). In an emergency, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or call 911.