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The Idol

2023·Show
5Episodes in1Season·NR
IMDb4.4Metacritic271.7Rotten Tomatoes18%41%
Episode ratings

Where to watch

HBO Max

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Idol fingerprint

High energy, funny, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense and spectacular

  • Tension8
  • Spectacle7
  • Adrenaline6

Heart

Romantic

  • Romance7
  • Melancholy6
  • Pathos5

Humor

Plenty of cringe comedy and dark humor

  • Cringe Humor9
  • Dark Humor7
  • Satire & Parody6

World

Show business, society, and the mind

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Ambiguity6

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Acting7
  • Character Depth7
  • Intrigue7

Style

Standout cinematography and visual style

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Music Centrality9
  • Cinematography8
  • Visual Stylization8

Who it's for

AdultsPartner WatchSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
SeasonEpisode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5

About

We all crave things that aren't good for us.

After a nervous breakdown derailed Jocelyn's last tour, she’s determined to claim her rightful status as the greatest and sexiest pop star in America. Her passions are reignited by Tedros, a nightclub impresario with a sordid past. Will her romantic awakening take her to glorious new heights or the deepest and darkest depths of her soul?
Music Industry DramaPsychological ThrillerSexual ExploitationControversial & ProvocativeDark RomanceCelebrity Culture CritiqueCringe-InducingSensory OverloadBleak & Cynical

Crew

Directed by:
Sam Levinson
Produced by:
Harrison Kreiss
Composed by:
Abel Tesfaye, Sam Levinson, Mike Dean

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about The Idol

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Idol legally?

HBO Max

The Idol is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Idol worth watching?

30
BadGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 31/100 (IMDb 4.4, Rotten Tomatoes 18%, and Metacritic 27). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Idol rated?

NRNuditySexual contentStrong languageDrug useDisturbing imagery

It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: nudity, sexual content, strong language, drug use, and disturbing imagery.

How many seasons does The Idol have?

1 season

It has 1 season with 5 episodes.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Idol?

Critics23
Audiences34

Not quite. Audiences rate The Idol higher (34) than critics (23). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

When did The Idol air?

It ran from 2023 to 2023 and has ended.

What language is The Idol in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in Canada, United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Idol?

102ADAEAGALARATAUBABBBEBGBHBOBR+88

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Idol in 102 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Idol use?

Political OvercorrectnessMisery Builds CharacterCult of PersonalityAgony of the FeetMaking Love in All the Wrong PlacesKick the DogWhat Happened to the Mouse?Must Have NicotinePlot HoleEveryone Has StandardsObfuscating StupidityAudience Shiftand 21 more

TV Tropes lists 33 storytelling tropes for The Idol, including Political Overcorrectness, Misery Builds Character, Cult of Personality.