Viewers slam new film from Succession creator as a 'waste of time'

Daily Record

2 days ago

Fans are well and truly divided over the film from Succession creator
Viewers are torn over a new film now streaming that's been described as 'utter madness' but also labelled an 'unbearable letdown'.
Mountainhead was only just launched via Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK on June 1. However, after its first full weekend of availability for home viewers, opinions are decidedly mixed about the title.
‌
The film was penned and directed by Jesse Armstrong, who is best known as the creator of the popular HBO series Succession. Mountainhead could be viewed as a spiritual successor as it appears to share many themes and also centres on affluent businesspeople as its main characters.
‌
According to its straightforward synopsis, the film tracks a small group of tech billionaires. This wealthy clique heads up to the mountains for a group holiday. However, back at home a financial crisis is beginning to spiral out of control and spill onto the streets, reports the Mirror US.
The group observes from a distance, scrutinising their roles in the situation with a focus on how it is affecting their business portfolios and bank balances.
There was considerable anticipation for the release of the title given that it is Armstrong's immediate follow-up to the hit series Succession. While it has achieved a respectable 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, its fan rating is a more damning 30%.
Opinions on the film's impact are divided among viewers. The Guardian's critic expressed disappointment, describing it as "insufferable" and criticising its nearly two-hour runtime for focusing too much on the billionaire characters portrayed by Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Ramy Youssef, and Cory Michael Smith.
‌
The critic stated: "Every human has their unique foibles and contradictions, but Mountainhead found itself too enthralled by figures who are no longer interesting, if they ever were. I found myself longing for more than two minutes with the girlfriend, the ex-wife, the assistant, the board member, let alone one of the many staff at the house – anyone to de-center a perspective that has already claimed far too much oxygen in the public sphere."
In contrast, one fan thoroughly enjoyed the film, sharing on social media: "This is pure insanity. A beautiful, fascinating train wreck. The characterizations are a little off, but believable. If you pay attention, you can figure out who is supposed to be who IRL. It's a great watch. Recommended."
Another viewer concurred, commenting: "Absurd, funny, and unsettling in equal measure, Mountainhead is a satire that entertains as much as it provokes-even if it leaves you with more questions than answers."
‌
Meanwhile, one viewer stated: "Loved Succession, hated Mountaintop. Could barely stomach the last half. A timely, dark premise with a great cast but a script that quickly becomes tedious. The humor starts to grate, then collapses into sickness that's supposed to be funny but isn't."
Some went so far as to declare that it was the 'worst movie ever made'. One person suggested that Jeremy Strong's performance in Succession is what made similar material work.
Another posted on X: "I watched Mountainhead. WASTE of my time. It was boring, not creative, had bad writing and acting, and was not believable, even though they wanted it to be. This is just my opinion."