THE IDOL HBO Series Episode 1 The Popcorn Junkies REVIEW (Spoilers)

The Idol is an American drama television series created by Sam Levinson, Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim. The series focuses on an aspiring pop idol (Lily-Rose Depp) and her complex relationship with a self-help guru and cult leader Tedros (Tesfaye). Appearing in supporting roles are Suzanna Son, Troye Sivan, Moses Sumney, Jane Adams, Dan Levy, Jennie Ruby Jane, Eli Roth, Rachel Sennott, Hari Nef, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Mike Dean, Ramsey, and Hank Azaria. The series also marks the final television appearance of Anne Heche, who died on August 11, 2022. Development on the series began in June 2021 when Tesfaye announced that he would be creating, executive producing and co-writing a drama series for HBO alongside Fahim and Levinson. Joseph Epstein and Amy Seimetz were attached to serve as writer-showrunner and director, respectively. Seimetz's initial approach on the project was that of a troubled starlet falling victim to a predatory industry figure and fighting to reclaim her own agency. Depp was cast to play the female lead opposite Tesfaye in September 2021, with the remaining cast announced between November 2021 and July 2022. Much of series was filmed when Levinson took over directing duties after Seimetz exited the project amid its production delay and creative overhaul in April 2022. Levinson scrapped Seimetz's work and production resumed in May 2022 in a different direction. Principal photography occurred in Los Angeles and Bel Air. The Idol began airing on HBO and Max on June 4, 2023. Its first two episodes premiered in May 2023, at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, where it was met with unfavorable reviews from critics for its graphic sexual content and themes.