Movies

Why HBO’s ‘Mountainhead’ Is the Must-See Film for ‘Succession’ Fans!

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On May 31, 2025, HBO will unveil “Mountainhead,” a cinematic experience reminiscent of the universe depicted in “Succession.” Created by Jesse Armstrong, this highly satirical film revolves around four affluent tech entrepreneurs gathering for a luxurious vacation amidst the crumbling global economy. Critics have lauded it for its exceptional acting and biting dialogue, comparable to that of “Succession.

While the characters of media tycoon Logan Roy and his power-hungry offspring from “Succession” don’t appear in the film “Mountainhead”, its trailer distinctly echoes the tone of “Succession”. This is evident through Armstrong’s sharp wit and biting humor, which criticizes tech culture, wealthy elites, and rampant American capitalism. Essentially, “Mountainhead” is a compelling choice for fans who enjoyed “Succession”.

‘Mountainhead’ Follows Four Billionaires

Jesse Armstrong penned and helmed Mountainhead, a story revolving around four obnoxious, ultra-wealthy American companions who gather for a leisurely winter retreat in Utah’s picturesque landscapes, residing at a luxurious lodge known as the Mountainhead. The host of this grand establishment is Hugo Van Yalk, portrayed by Jason Schwartzman, who, despite his wealth being measured in millions rather than billions, is teasingly referred to as “Soup Kitchen” by the other three due to their perception of him as financially impoverished compared to them.

The remaining three unbearable tech colleagues consist of Randall (portrayed by Steve Carell), the oldest member and original investor, who is currently fighting cancer; Venis (Cory Michael Smith), a professional in artificial intelligence deep-fakes; and Jeff (Ramy Youssef), a tech expert with liberal leanings who specializes in filters to detect deep fakes. When Venis suggests buying Jeff’s AI filter tools, this triggers a wide-ranging discussion about an impending financial crisis and its impact on their own financial stability.

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The other three irritating tech colleagues are Randall (Steve Carell), the senior member and initial investor who is battling cancer; Venis (Cory Michael Smith), an AI deep-fake specialist; and Jeff (Ramy Youssef), a liberal-leaning tech guru focusing on filters for identifying deep fakes. When Venis proposes acquiring Jeff’s AI filter tools, this leads to a comprehensive debate about an approaching economic downturn and its potential consequences for their finances.

In this world that’s rapidly falling apart, these wealthy tech entrepreneurs indulge in lavish pleasures, showcasing their lack of empathy, nihilistic views, self-centeredness, and moral bankruptcy. Similar to the captivating drama of Succession, the novel Mountainhead spotlights unsavory characters with minimal virtues who climb their way to the top as CEOs, receiving the harsh reality checks they deserve. The quartet in the story can be seen as analogies for individuals like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Peter Thiel, reflecting the cold-hearted actions of the billionaire elite as the divide between the rich and poor expands.

Jesse Armstrong Doubles Down on the ‘Succession’ Formula in ‘Mountainhead’

Ranked at number 57 on IMDb’s Top 250 TV Shows, “Succession” garnered an impressive 19 Primetime Emmy Awards over the course of its five-season run from 2018 to 2023. Created by Jesse Armstrong and featuring many of his scripts, the show serves as a contemporary reinterpretation of William Shakespeare’s family tragedy “Macbeth,” where rival siblings vie for the throne. Within “Succession,” Logan Roy (portrayed by Brian Cox) is the monarch-like media magnate who doubts the abilities of his three unworthy offspring to follow him on the throne, much like Rupert Murdoch.

This group consists of Kendall (Jeremy Strong), who struggles with substance abuse issues; Shiv (Sarah Snook), who schemes and maneuvers; and Roman (Kieran Culkin), who has questionable moral compass. As Logan’s health declines, they scheme, undermine each other, and vie for the CEO position using sharp words and witty jabs. Mountainhead elevates its characters and their biting dialogue to a higher plane.

Armstrong strategically limits his initial production to one location and intensifies the sharp exchanges among the group to unprecedented extremes, ensuring that his directorial premiere remains relatable and self-enclosed. In essence, it appears he’s essentially replicating the Succession formula, making the characters increasingly detestable as the discourse persistently degrades the ethical decay of tech mogul society. If a feature-length Roy family reunion isn’t on the cards, Mountainhead is poised to become an exceptional alternative to an official Succession film.

Beyond Armstrong, the executive producers of Succession – Frank Rich, Jon Brown, Lucy Prebble, Tony Roche, Mark Mylod, and Will Tracy – will also assume similar roles for Mountainhead. Consequently, fans of the acclaimed HBO series can anticipate a consistent creative and tonal flow in the upcoming movie.

What Critics Are Saying About ‘Mountainhead’

As I eagerly anticipate the HBO debut of “Mountainhead” on May 31, 2025, I find myself captivated by its impressive Rotten Tomatoes rating of 89% and a Metascore of 68. The film has sparked quite a stir among critics, with many drawing parallels to the balanced dramedy of “Succession.”

While some appreciate the innovative approach to redefining the formula, others are less enthused. Nonetheless, I find myself aligning more with Peter Bradshaw’s glowing review in The Guardian, who praises “Mountainhead” for its bold and captivating storytelling. This film is certainly one not to be missed!

Jesse Armstrong has come back with a compelling, hard-to-resist extended episode from the Succession Cinematic Universe that feels like a feature film. Unlike many comedies or movies I’ve seen lately, this one is primarily focused on delivering sharp, biting, and humorous dialogue exchanges, rather than developing narrative arcs or characters.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself captivated by the film’s sharp humor, but I must acknowledge that some viewers might find the unsavory characters too off-putting to endure for a full 108 minutes. Sharing this viewpoint is Christian Zilko from IndieWire, who astutely points out…

In many aspects, ‘Mountainhead’ continues the narrative themes that Armstrong established in ‘Succession’. However, it falls short of replicating the gripping tension that earned ‘Succession’ a place among television’s finest works—a captivating portrayal that compels us to empathize with even its most complex characters.

Certainly, despite the Roy siblings’ numerous imperfections, their captivating performances made audiences empathize with them by the story’s conclusion. In contrast, it appears that in Mountainhead, Armstrong seems less focused on making the four loathsome tech bros sympathetic, instead choosing to portray them as exaggerated caricatures representing today’s harmful and divisive, powerful CEOs. Those who criticize the characters as one-dimensional may be overlooking the message Armstrong is intentionally emphasizing in large, bold letters.

Although some might find the satirical perspective of “Mountainhead” a bit cloudy, its message about unrestrained wealth and uncontrolled capitalism appears quite clear. By portraying the rich and powerful as insatiably greedy exploiters who prey on the less fortunate, “Mountainhead” echoes the central theme that Armstrong presented in “Succession.” This theme is merely amplified to stunning heights amidst the Utah mountains. “Mountainhead” will make its debut on HBO and be available for streaming on Max starting May 31.

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2025-05-29 22:04

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