Jesse Armstrong’s Mountainhead marks a strong and confident directorial debut from the Succession creator, delivering a sharp, satirical take on tech billionaires and their detachment from societal consequences. While it doesn’t break new ground, it’s undeniably entertaining and makes for a fun and engaging watch.
Armstrong clearly draws inspiration from his previous work on Succession, both in tone and style. I even read that there were early plans to link the film to the Succession universe with a news report from Logan Roy’s ATN, which would’ve been a fun nod. However, I do think cutting it was the right decision, allowing Mountainhead to stand on its own.
The cast are all excellent, as expected, with each actor bringing nuance and distinct personality to this disturbingly irresponsible group of billionaires. Armstrong does a brilliant job of capturing the unsettling reality that individuals with more money than sense can wield as much influence as anyone on the planet.
Mountainhead excels on all technical fronts. It’s very well shot, with strong visuals throughout. The production design is brilliant, making excellent use of the 59 million dollar mansion where the film was shot. Nicholas Britell delivers another great score, and Jesse Armstrong’s direction is impressive for his debut. While the film does share similarities with Succession, it’s distinct enough and brings enough new elements to stand on its own without being overshadowed by those comparisons.
Overall, I definitely recommend Mountainhead. While it isn’t groundbreaking, it’s still worth checking out if you’re looking for something to watch. It’s hilarious, well crafted, and will leave you thinking after the credits roll. I’ve always loved Jesse Armstrong’s work, and I’ll be there for whatever he does next.
Review by Jacob Wolfe
Mountainhead is released on HBO and Max from 31 May, and on Sky and NOW from 1 June.
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