The Studio Season One Early Review

The following is a spoiler-free review of the first season of The Studio. The first two episodes premiere March 26th on Apple TV+

The uber team of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg have been responsible for a steady stream of hits on the big screen and on television and they show no signs of stopping anytime soon. There are too many to name but coming soon to Apple TV+ may be their best project yet, The Studio. Acting as writers, directors, producers, and in Rogen’s case, starring, their presence could be felt across all ten episodes of this first season. Not only absolutely hilarious, relatable, and endearing, this comedy series offers up what will likely be among one of the best comedy series of 2025 and also, arguably, one of the best series of 2025. This Hollywood satire harkens back to a simpler time, the way films used to be made, until corporations have more or less taken over the industry. In spite of how the playing field has evolved, for better or worse, the series acknowledges this though remains optimistic about the future of movies and the moviegoing experience while in the face of such silliness, aspiring that it could return to what it once was, again. Led by Rogen, as an aspirational movie studio executive, he delivers a career best performance in a role that of course taps into his comedic talent, and also his range as he found himself put through the ringer, to great effect.

The Studio is centered around Matt Remick (Rogen), the newly appointed head of the embattled Continental Studios. A long-time employee of the studio, the movie fan saw them as art, rather than a product sold to boost a studio’s bottom line. Matt was a staunch believer in the power of movies and the moviegoing experience and fan of the artistry of filmmaking, however, those views are generally not compatible with being a head of a studio. Nevertheless, playing both sides of the coin, that venture proved to be a difficult one. Faced with an uphill battle of trying to be taken seriously as the artist he always considered himself to be, his new position led others to simply dismiss Matt as a mere money man. Fighting against this unfair reputation, this increasing desperation would lead to a fair share of uncomfortable moments that the series would play off for laughs. That being said, one can’t help but have sympathy for Matt during those moments. While it’s easy to connect with his passion for movies, he sometimes goes about it the wrong way. Tasked with leading a struggling studio boasting a rich history, one that he himself played a part in, the pressure he faced to keep the ship afloat was very real and it came from multiple fronts.

Thankfully for him, Matt did not have to go through it all alone as he had his merry band of misfits to go on that journey with him which meant personality clashing as they stumbled their way through executing a vision that he was still figuring out as they went along. Now working the job he’s been pursuing his whole life, little did he know the toll it would take and that the new position may very well destroy him. A series that could easily have just stayed in one lane and be satisfied with taking shots at Hollywood and the film industry, its focus on Matt and the other characters, be it former Continental studio head turned producer Patty (Catherine O’Hara), vice-president Sal (Ike Barinholtz), Matt’s former assistant turned executive Quinn (Chase Sui Wonders), and head of marketing Maya (Kathryn Hahn), makes it far more compelling to watch. As much as it is a comedy, and a hilarious one at that, it is an underdog story. The contrast of Matt’s passion set against the harsh reality of the industry made for a great character arc as he learned to grow and evolve on the job while the pressure of his new job increasingly weighed on his psyche. In that, there were certainly mistakes, as the sum of his issues often found a way to get him in trouble. Plenty flawed, all Matt wanted was to fit in and earn the respect of his peers.

The heart of The Studio is the day-to-day business of Continental Studios as they gear up for their latest movie season. Taking viewers behind the scenes and in the boardrooms and making them a part of the moviemaking process, the series put a fun satirical spin on it all as it breaks the facade. Attempting to balance the studio’s ongoing projects, either in development, current, or future, the episodes see Matt and his circle roving around between sets and back in the office. Trying to snuff out potential issues or problems, it wasn’t always clear if they were helping or hurting. Other than one episode of hijinks that didn’t quite fit as well in the grand scheme of the story, the season operates on a consistently high level that is not easy to maintain nowadays. With the future of the studio in jeopardy, the pressure for Matt to succeed has never been higher and being at the top comes a kind of loneliness that can get to anyone.

For a series whose premise is set in Hollywood and the film industry, it makes sense for it to intersect with the real thing. And in that department, it does not disappoint with guest stars galore, featuring some true heavy hitters, many as more than cameos. It’s remarkable how it managed to snag all the guest stars it did but to their credit, they are absolutely hilarious. Excellent writing not only brings the laughs, its dedication to its characters is as impressive. Matt is such a strong character full of hopes and dreams, as well as insecurities and other character flaws, but that just makes him human. His passion is something to aspire to, having it beaten down by the harsh reality of today is saddening, and watching him trying to reconcile with that and fumbling his way moving forward is reletable. Rogen’s career-best performance as Matt brings it all to life, showing off his underrated range in doing so. Reinforced by adept direction from he and Goldberg (directors of all 10 episodes), they hone in on Matt’s discomfort and fragile psyche in a way that pulls viewers further into his plight. Meanwhile, the rest of the supporting cast also deserve applauding as the dynamic does not work if not for their spectacular chemistry. Mostly working to support Rogen’s Matt, they each have moments to shine.

At the end of the day, The Studio is easily the best comedy series of the year so far and is likely to be among on the best of the year when 2025 is set and done, led by excellent writing and a career-best Seth Rogen.

still courtesy of Apple TV+

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.