THE STUDIO

The Studio is more than just your raunchy workplace comedy from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg with a stellar lead cast, it is also a satirical commentary on the Hollywood studio system and love letter to the art of filmmaking that marks one of the best new television series of 2025!

For anyone who follows the film industry closely, there is no question it is at a turning point. With studio executives looking for the next sure box office juggernaut to follow in the footsteps of films like Top Gun: Maverick, Barbie and Oppenheimer, an overload of superhero and franchise content, and the lacking box office results in favour of staying at home and waiting or films to stream, its an environment for the industry that has to be carefully navigated. And that is the starting point for Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s latest comedy The Studio, which follows Rogen’s newly appointed Matt Remick, who is the newly appointed the head of Continental Studios, trying to navigate keeping the suits financially profiting while fostering the artistic vision that made not only himself but hundreds of millions of people around the world fall in love with the medium. While some jokes maybe be too niche directed at the biggest film enthusiasts, what unfolds over the course of The Studio’s first season is an outrageously funny, ingenious critique of the studio system within Hollywood bolstered by great comedic performances from Rogen and his cast, that not only is one of the best new series of the year, but arguably the best creation from Rogen and Goldberg yet.

Running a business is not easy, but running a film studio in an environment where everything is stacked against artistic integrity and a dwindling audience at cinemas is near impossible. That is the setup for Rogen and Goldberg’s latest comedy The Studio, which follows a legacy film studio under new leadership trying to secure their next hit. Attempting to follow in the footsteps of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, newly appointed studio head Matt Remick is appointed to deliver the next billion dollar hit for Continental Studios based on existing intellectual property: Kool-Aid. Following every aspect of the development stage of a film, the series follows Matt and his colleagues as they work on the pitch for the film, secure directors and strategize casting decisions, while beginning the marketing campaign for the film before it even begins filming, it is an all encompassing look at film making. It’s an interesting behind the scenes look at film production that captures the clash between business and art, characterized by an unbearable tension to represent the million dollar stakes of the industry, never for a second failing to deliver non-stop laughter in Rogen and Goldberg’s signature R rated stylings. This is all done while commenting on the vision that number calculating studios have lost in recent years, instead focusing on what the internet and cancel culture will have to say about their perceived decision without having seen the films they are making. As the simple answer is no matter what films are being made, if it is a good film and marketed well, no matter the genre, audiences will show up for it. But, it's more than just a comedy: it's an ode to dreamers who believe in their vision and art, and the unflinching determination they have to not sacrifice that vision, despite outside forces trying to get them to do otherwise.

While the overarching story of the season is about making the Kool-Aid movie, there are many episodes that show more of the movie making magic that has captured the attention of viewers for years. From episodes focused on actual shooting of other films, notably the season’s second episode focused on the shoot of the new Sarah Polley film and their shooting day for a one shot scene, test screening results and adjusting cuts to make something audiences will relate too, the Golden Globes awards episode capturing the excitement of awards season, and even an episode focused on the general public’s views on going to theatres (which is one episode of television this critic has never felt so seen by), there is no aspect of the Hollywood and film making that is left untouched by Goldberg and Rogen’s writing. Each specialized episode is stylized to match its subject matter and showcase different genres of films, with the episode about a missing film reel of the studio’s new noir film stylized as a noir from the Golden Age of Hollywood, and the one take episode all shot as a single, impressive one take shot that captures the excitement and stress of shooting. And to make it truly authentic, the entire season is packed with celebrity cameos and guest starring appearances in which they all play themselves that captures all the fame and glamour of Hollywood. From acclaimed directors like Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard who are working on films with Continental Studios, actors like Zoë Kravitz and Zac Efron who are starring in films being produced Continental, and many more, it’s a great touch that makes the series feel like true Hollywood.

As genius as the writing of Goldberg and Rogen is, it is the main cast of The Studio that brings it to life. Rogen is great as studio head Matt Remick, bringing his wonderful comedic timing to the role that when combined with his more analytical and dreamer personality he brings to Matt, makes for a lead character that viewers will want to root for. Catherine O’Hara is a scene stealer as former studio head Patty Leigh, letting loose after being freed from the stresses of the demanding job and tapping back into her artistic side, never failing to deliver a zinger of a line or terrific laugh as she has done for decades on screen. Kathryn Hahn is a riot as the crass head of marketing Maya, calling everything as it is with the most over the top reactions that play into Hahn’s comedic talents, while watching Ike Barinholtz and Chase Sui Wonders are a dynamic duo as Sal Saperstein and Quinn Hackett, Matt’s trusted friends and co-workers. While the celebrities who guest star on the show never fail to deliver great performances, such as Ron Howard in his standout episodes and Zoë Kravitz in her multi-episode role that lets her flex her comedic side, this series is a true winner thanks to Rogen, O’Hara, Hahn, Barinholtz and Wonders who are brilliant leads that capture the spirit of the series in spades within their performances.

Equally as critical as it is outrageously hilarious, it’s been a while since audiences have been treated to such a prestigious television comedy as brilliant as The Studio! Even if some of the jokes may slip by viewers as being too insider for the film industry, there is no denying that Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg knock it out of the park with their critique of the Hollywood studio system with their wickedly funny comedic moments as well as infusing the entire series with a true love of filmmaking, uplifted at every turn by a stellar lead cast and excellent cameos from some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and directors. With laugh out loud moments arising nonstop over the course of the entire season as Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg take on the Hollywood studio system, combined with scene stealing turns from Catherine O’Hara and Kathryn Hahn, artistically crafted episodes that pay homage to the art of filmmaking, and brilliant cameos from Hollywood legends including Ron Howard, Charlize Theron and Martin Scorsese, The Studio is destined to not only be one of the year’s best new series, but a beloved television comedy that will stand the test of time