The Idol: Questions and Controversies Surrounding the HBO Series

It comes as no surprise that The Idol, a new HBO show from director Sam Levinson, has been shrouded in secrecy. The production has been mired in controversy, with accusations of exploitation and “sexual torture porn” circulating among critics. The show premiered at Cannes last month, receiving a standard five-minute standing ovation and mixed reviews.

Despite all the buzz surrounding The Idol, it is not entirely clear what the show is about. Is it about Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) and her journey through the underworld of LA’s music scene? Or is it about Tedros Tedros (Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye) and his mysterious murder cult? Does the show depict or endorse the abuse of women? These questions are not fully answered by the first episode, and instead, more questions arise.

One such question concerns how much Fiona Apple was paid for “Criminal” to be played during the photoshoot scene, and if any of that money was donated to her new favorite nonprofit, the National Courtwatch Network. Others concern Troye Sivan’s accent coach, the feasibility of a temporary kidnapping of an intimacy coordinator, and the positioning of Jennie from Blackpink as the Mila Kunis to Lily-Rose Depp’s Natalie Portman (Black Swan style) the same weekend that movie was in the tabloids.

Other inquiries range from the practical (Were the stairwells at Capitol Records a good place to have sex?) to the personal (Am I really so jaded by all the celeb nude leaks of the 2000s, or is one cumshot selfie really not that big of a deal?) and even to the metaphysical (Is there some sort of quantum gossip field that needs to be studied?).

Given the context, these questions serve as a reminder that even the most controversial and mysterious shows can have lighthearted moments. Fans who are literally grasping at straws to understand the plot might be able to glean some insight from the inclusion of classic songs in the show. For example, “Criminal,” “Like a Prayer,” and “Darling Nikki” are all featured in the first episode, leading some to wonder whether most of the show’s budget is going to music licensing.

While the show’s focus and message remain uncertain, one thing is clear: The Idol is not a show that will leave audiences feeling neutral. Rather, its provocative themes and controversial material will likely continue to spark discussion and prompt a flurry of different interpretations over the course of its run. Some may see the show as a challenging work of art that forces viewers to grapple with difficult subject matter, while others may find it exploitative and objectionable. Whatever one’s opinion on the show, it is undeniable that The Idol has sparked a significant amount of conversation and debate.