The Studio is a new show with all episode available to watch now on Apple TV+. Directed & co-created by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg the show stars Rogen, Catherine O’Hara, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, Kathryn Hahn, and a large ensemble of celebrity cameos throughout. As movies struggle to stay alive and relevant, newly appointed head of Continental Studios, Matt Remick, and his core of team of executives, navigate the complexities of a legacy Hollywood movie studio.

Even with all the hype going into this, nothing could have truly prepared me for the greatness we got here. Seth Rogen appears to have the right idea with being a part of comedy that expands on what got him in the business to begin with. Off the top of my head, I can’t think of a perfect project he’s been in within the last decade, but I still enjoy his stuff. Needless to say, I figured I’d love the show between its humor and cameos. What I didn’t expect was to witness one of the best comedic TV shows in quite some time.

It’s ironic how this is a show that tackles film that is on a streaming service. The show is a true love letter to the industry. Even when it can be a satire, it leans into the ridiculousness of the given concept that it is tackling. With two strong standout, hilarious episodes released for its premiere, all with strong one-take scenes, you’d think the show might dip in quality as it went on. Over the span of 9 weeks, the show managed to maintain its quality, delivering a memorable show in the process.

With the amount of work everyone put into this show, don’t be surprised if we don’t get another season for at least 2 years. The work they put into this was no easy feat, yet it looks easy because of how well written the show is. The season is meticulously thought out between the characters, cameos, and camera work. While some may see the middle portion of the season to be slower than the rest, it offers a great opportunity to further lean into who these characters are and how it goes on to develop their relationships. The comedy may be top-tier, which is what’s going to make people keep watching, but the slower moments in between is what helps us connect with the show even more.

What makes the show hilarious and captivating is the way it gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work in a film studio. The show never holds back from the characters being as real as possible. Just because Matt is a studio head doesn’t mean others won’t speak their truth to them. It develops Matt mentally and emotionally as someone who wants to please everyone and will do whatever it takes to get there. The moments he even has with his core team might give him more trouble, but it allows us, the audience, to explore how they all work together as a team.

The show has made significant noise in terms of its camera work. I have been obsessed with one-take scenes over the last decade since I first saw that incredible oner in the first season of True Detective. While the second episode is all one-take, every other episode have long one-take scenes throughout. I’d love to know if the dialogue was all scripted or if the cast had to improvise. The behind-the-scenes of these camera shots also shows how well-thought out these scenes are with multiple camera operators waiting on standby in order to pull off every single seamless take.

Every episode except for the last two feel like they are each singular episodes that you can be thrown into it and feel like you are all caught up to speed; however, I’d recommend you don’t do that, because there is a gradual arc for Matt that feels relatable and offers an unpredictable journey ahead of him that also challenges him. His arc shows how complex and flawed his character can be. He doesn’t seem like a character you can see yourself in until he see where he is getting better and better at his job and showing off his love for movies. As a film critic and someone who has worked in the film industry, I can heavily identify with his character and the themes this show presents.

As for the final two episodes, they having one overarching story. If you somehow didn’t see the ninth episode, at least you have Dave Franco hilariously recapping that episode. The final episode caps off this journey of Matt’s and his executives wonderfully. We don’t see the outcome after he gets the theater to chant “MOVIES!”, but we don’t need to. That is the cap of his journey. I guarantee the next season will find Amazon buying the company, forcing everyone out. I think that will put everyone in an exciting position where they get work from the group up together as a new film studio.

Overall, The Studio is a flawless comedic TV show that feels like one of its kind. There are twists and turns at every corner. The characters are very likable. The cameos are hilarious. The cinematography is top-notch. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly encourage you to do so ASAP. If you have, just like me, will watch it even more before the second season gets here.

VERDICT: 5/5 (Perfect)