The Studio

Seth Rogen stars as executive producer Matt Remick in The Studio. He’s a passionate cinephile who’s easily caught up in the excitement of the goings-on during a set visit and dreams of making the next great auteur film comparable to Rosemary’s Baby or Annie Hall. When he’s promoted to studio head, however, he finds himself trying to appease the wishes of his profit-driven boss (Bryan Cranston) while keeping the talent happy. The latest Apple TV+ show (co-created by Rogen alongside Evan Goldberg) asks if it’s still possible to make artistic films within a corporate Hollywood in which creating the next billion-dollar franchise is all that matters, and it has a tonne of fun doing so in this star-studded comedy.

Remmick is Rogen’s usual loveable but bumbling persona. Although his sincere enthusiasm is the direct opposite of the cynical realism of his fellow executives, his love for the art form is genuine. References to cinematic classics and filmmaking techniques not only reflect Remick’s lifelong love but underscore the flavour of self-referential humour the show aims for and consistently hits, while Remmick finds himself at the centre of increasingly chaotic situations. Whether it’s trying to get a movie based on the Kool-Aid mascot off the ground or finding the courage to give Ron Howard feedback on a deeply personal film, each episode smartly tackles various aspects of the industry with tightly choreographed one-shots accompanied by frantic jazz drums á la Birdman.

Rogen is joined onscreen by Kathryn Hahn as perpetually furious marketing exec Maya, Ike Barinholtz as partially more competent producer Ike, and Catherine O’Hara as former studio head Patty, each of which is astoundingly good. The ensemble cast is likewise joined by a smorgasbord of cameos, including Martin Scorsese, Anthony Mackie and Sarah Polley within the opening episodes, every one of which is likewise delightful to watch, with Scorsese being a notable highlight within the first episode.

Although The Studio romanticises the money-hungry Hollywood system more than it satirises it, Rogen and Goldberg have nevertheless created a cleverly written and highly entertaining outing with their latest project.    

Andrew Murray

The Studio is released on Apple TV+ on 26^th March 2025.

Watch the trailer for The Studio here: