The Studio isn’t rated by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) because it’s a TV series, not a movie. The MPA only rates films, while TV shows use the TV Parental Guidelines system (e.g., TV-MA, TV-14). Since The Studio is an Apple TV+ series, it would likely be TV-MA for adult content, but streaming platforms often skip formal ratings and use content warnings instead.
Language: strong Warnings include frequent use of foul language; terms such as F-word, T-word, S-word, B-tch, among others are commonly used. It gets quite explicit from time to time and uses a lot of swearing in conversation, particularly in moderation and heated contexts.
Violence: The tumbling and physical fighting in The Studio is not realistic and does not depict fatalities and severe impact. For example, there are fight scenes (like Ron Howard fight) and some funny moments like pranks that happened on the set or staged quarrels. These scenes are comical in nature and are expected not to be taken literally.
Sexual Content: The show has sexuality in it, it has jokes, and some parts make references that are more suitable for adults. For instance, there could be some jokes about love, dating, or Hollywood’s approach to love. There are no scenes where characters undress, though some conversations might be namedr or some situations might be rather provocative (e.g., talking about relationships).
Drug and Alcohol Use: Given the Hollywood context and the company of Seth Rogen, there are moments that show characters using illicit substances, such as taking shrooms or binge-drinking during parties or business meetings. These moments are not glamorized; rather, they are used for comedic effect and are featured throughout the series.
Age Recommendation: Best For: Mature teens (16+) and adults. Why: The show is more adult-oriented here due to its language and focusing on topics that younger audiences might not comprehend.
Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of Hollywood’s biggest movie studios? Or how much chaos it takes to get a film made? That’s exactly what happens in The Studio, the new Apple TV+ series from comedy legends Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. If you’ve laughed at their other hits like Superbad or This Is the End, you’re in for a treat—this might be their funniest project yet!
The Story: Chaos, Comedy, and Kool-Aid
The Studio revolves around the character of Matt Remick who is a mid-tier executive working for the movie producing company Continental Studios which is depicted as a large Hollywood studio. Matt’s a dreamer in arguably the most volatile business on the planet. He likes indie films, writing something new and creating things that have an impact on people. And therein lays the problem, as his perception of movies is not always financially viable in an era where ticket sales reign supreme. When his former boss – the former head of Continental – is dismissed, an attractive offer for Matt is to become the head of the company. It is a major opening but there is a catch: he has to create the hits and prove that he can do so without compromising his integrity.
The supporting characters in Matt’s team are equally crazy, or should I say equally passionate as Matt himself. Marking, you have Kathryn Hahn as Claire, the intuitive marketing director; Ike Barinholtz as Nick, the arrogant but inept director of development; and Chase Sui Wonders as Mia, the aspiring assistant director. Collectively, they deal with the absurdity of Hollywood, from extravagant promotional sessions to actors’ tantrums on the set as they strive to run Continental.
The first episode that the show airs and there is already a large-scale challenge for Matt: filming an actual Kool-Aid movie. Yes, you read that right. In the last ditch effort to convince everyone that he deserves the promotion, Matt pitches the idea to a surprisingly indifferent Martin Scorsese who himself seems quite bored in his cameo. The following are scenes that have either laughter to times as Matt sought to get Scorsese on board and also come to collegial terms with the stakeholders through the movie product and process.
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The problem is, it isn’t just about one movie… Every episode focuses on a single project – an action movie, sci-fi, an indie drama – and the pandemonium that ensues. Whether it be a debate over who should do the voice for the Kool-Aid Man or fighting on the set, this show is full of comedy. And through it all, Matt struggles to balance his optimistic vision with the gritty world he is learning about at MediCom. This begs the question: Can he make movies that matter without selling out? Or will he become a shadow of himself?
The Vibe: A Roller Coaster of Laughs:
For me, watching the Studio is an unforgettable experience, full of excitement and passion from the very beginning to the end. The show is recorded in a single shot for each episode, so it feels as if you are standing right in the midst of the bedlam. It’s instantly engaging: just flash the audience a set of rapid-fire gags that pack a massive punch. This humor is extremely witty at times and satirical at others, parodying Hollywood while glorifying the craft of movie making. I like to consider it a cross between The Office and Entourage with that raw sense of comedy that you get from working with Seth Rogen.
That is where The Studio truly shines and sets itself apart. But beneath all the humor, there is still camaraderie, appreciation for the art of filmmaking, and admiration for the craft of the actors. Perhaps, Matt’s journey is not only about the desire to create great films but searching for his place in this world as well. The supporting characters are also great – they all have their realistic aspirations, issues, and personalities that will have you laughing out loud. Whether it’s Mia’s drive to make her indie horror flick or Nick’s constant flow of oh-so terrible ideas, you’ll be on this team’s side.
The Cast: Comedy Gold
Without the help and performances of each one of its cast members, the show wouldn’t be as interesting as it is now. I particularly appreciated Seth Rogen’s performance as Matt; he really did a good job of portraying the character. Kathryn Hahn stands out playing Claire and is consistently hilariously funny and often provides the show’s most emotionally resonant moments. Ike Barinholtz is great as Nick, the bar guy, although he is the worst at thinking of ideas – but he always manages to work them out. And Chase Sui Wonders as Mia, the new girl in town who doesn’t mess around when it comes to getting what she wants.
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And then there are the guest stars. It is full of stars, starting with Zoë Kravitz and Zac Efron and ending with Ron Howard and Olivia Wilde. The showstopper, however, is Martin Scorsese, who as himself features prominently, and without irony, in the pilot. His deadpan style and ability to fully embrace the ridiculous premise of the Kool-Aid movie scene is hilarious. I mean… who ever is in charge of awards, give this man an Emmy already!
What Works (and What Doesn’t)
Another highlight of The Studio is in its writing. Together, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg have come up with a perfect blend of humour and emotion in this series; you laugh while watching and feel invested in the characters, although they are far from perfect. The absence of continuity makes it even worse since every episode is a shot in the dark, thereby making the show full of comedy and drama.
Let me state upfront that the show is not perfect but has certain flaws. One of the problems it occasionally has is that some of the plotlines can sometimes feel a bit rushed towards the later episodes. So while the jokes are funny, they may not appeal to everyone—after all, much of Hollywood’s humor is industry-specific. Overall, as far as I’d expect from a film called The Studio that aims at making people laugh and warm their hearts while also telling them something about filmmaking insanity, it succeeds.
Final Verdict: A Must-Watch Comedy:
If you enjoy watching series like The Boys or films like Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse, but they are longer and funnier, then The Studio is just what you need. It is fast moving, witty, and filled with comedy, and you’ll be laughing from the beginning to end. My only complaint? It’s too short!
In conclusion, The Studio is a show that can be enjoyed by anybody with an interest in comedy and films or simply someone looking to have a good laugh. Whether you are a movie enthusiast or simply an interested layperson, this show is a home run. Fire up the DVD player, get a bag of popcorn, and relax, because the circus is here. You won’t regret it.
Premiere Date: March 26, 2025
Created by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, & Frida Perez.
Series directed by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg.
Sterring: Seth Rogen, Catherine O’Hara, Kathryn Hahn, Ike Barinholtz, and Chase Sui Wonders
Network: Apple TV+.
Episodes: 10 (Season One).