Just a few days of wait and the Euphoria-style, cult-centred The Idol will drop on HBO Max. Even before its release, The Idol has amassed the attention of a wide fanbase. The teasers that have been released by HBO so far hint at an explosive yet satirical punchy series and that’s a genre hardly any entertainment geek wants to miss out on. Hollywood is home to several huge names, be it actors, actresses, directors, series or movies. There is more to Hollywood–and all the other film industries–though and that hidden side is leveraged by cult leaders.
The Idol introduces its audience to a sensational pop idol, Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp), and how she is lured by her self-help guru into the bog of deceit and abuse. As alluring as watching a rising star fall and rise up again, the question remains at the forefront of our minds. Is The Idol based on a true story? Find out below!
Is The Idol Based On A True Story?
It is manifested by Abel Tesfaye–popularly known as The Weeknd–along with Reza Fahim and Sam Levinson. The Idol is an overloaded tale targeting the cult culture prevalent in the entertainment industry these days. Jocelyn, an aspiring pop idol is tormented by her mother’s death. Now though, she is trying to put her past to rest and reclaim her position but it is taking all her willpower to come out of the shell again. That’s when she comes across Tedros (Abel Tesfaye), a producer and the club owner who later becomes her love interest.
Unfortunately for her, Tedros isn’t just leading her to stardom but also to a cult. Jocelyn soon falls victim to Tedro’s abuse camouflaged in the layer of love and becomes his puppet. She isn’t the only one though and Tedros isn’t the saint she initially believed him to be. The complexity of their relationship and the grim and vivid portrayal of the cult led by Tedros make for a controversial series.
No matter how realistic Jocelyn’s story might appear, it is the manifestation of Tesfaye, Fahim and Levinson’s imagination. The Idol draws inspiration from several well-renowned celebrities who fell victim to the sharks of the industry.
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The Idol Draws Inspiration From The Hollywood Cult Leaders
Several popular names in the music industry have been exposed in the past decade. Their true abusive nature has been brought forward by their victims who have been tormented and manipulated by them. With the number of these racketeers flourishing with each passing day, the number of documentaries keeps increasing, too. The Idol is not one of those though.
Rather, Levinson’s The Idol is a satirical drama inspired by the dark stories Hollywood is being burdened by. It might not be centred around some real-life Hollywood celebrity but it gets too close to reality. The star-studded cast members add to the intrigue and impact of the series.
The Idol Has A High Chance To Be Shadowed By Euphoria
For anyone who is fond of satirical dramas centred around the grim camouflaged by the glamour of Hollywood, Euphoria is the ultimate destination. Levinson’s Euphoria is yet another series dominated by the unheard truth lurking in the deep valleys of the shining universe entitled Hollywood. The Idol walks in its footsteps but it is significantly darker and hopefully more impactful. Levinson’s presence in The Idol has certainly intensified the pressure.
The Idol, to no one’s surprise, is shadowed by the heated controversies as well. The first two episodes of the series enjoyed a screening at the Cannes Film Festival and opened the doors to a controversy. The series is accused to be too sleazy to be enjoyable with the entire episodes being dominated by debauchery-filled scenes that add nothing to the value of the series. The series will be available to online viewers on HBO Max starting June 4, 2023.
Is The Idol Based On A True Story: FAQs
It is centred around the life of an up-and-coming pop idol, Jocelyn, who is then trapped in a complicated relationship with a producer, Tedros.
No, it is not based on a true story.
The Idol is manifested by Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd), Reza Fahim and Sam Levinson.
The Idol is scheduled to premiere on June 4, 2023, with the episodes scheduled for weekly releases.
Yes, there is a trailer available.
You can stream The Idol on HBO Max!
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