There were slight concerns when reports indicated HBO’s The Idol was facing delays due to a creative overhaul around late April, but based on what’s been previewed in the teaser trailer(s) so far, it may have been worthwhile.
Co-created by the “sick and twisted mind” behind Euphoria – Sam Levinson – alongside Reza Fahim and The Weeknd himself (real name: Abel Tesfaye), the story centres upon a rising pop singer named Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) who finds herself entangled in a romance with an “enigmatic” modern-day cult leader (The Weeknd).
In a previous iteration of The Idol, said cult leader was also an LA club owner. That has since been revised to a “self-help guru.”
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As expected from the likes of Levinson and The Weeknd, both of whom are renowned for explicit and unflinching depictions of drugs + sex + emotional violence in their respective works, this won’t be something you’ll want to watch with your mother. And HBO made that painfully clear with its first The Idol trailer (below).
“Lick it… spank it… drop it… camera, money, uh-uh-uh,” a voice commands, intercut with brief shots of panties hitting the floor, writhing naked bodies, and lines of cocaine.
As Lily-Rose Depp’s Jocelyn achieves an orgasm, the same voice can be heard saying: “More… more… more… orgy!”
It closes with an interaction between Jocelyn and an unseen figure (who we assume is The Weeknd’s character).
“Do you trust me?” says the latter.
“Not really,” responds the former.
The second trailer – unveiled earlier this week – is thematically consistent, shining a greater spotlight on The Idol‘s all-star cast, which features some impressive names from the world of both acting and music.
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In addition to Lily-Rose Depp and the Weeknd, you can expect the likes of Suzanna Son, Australia’s own Troye Siva, Moses Sumney, Jane Adams, Dan Levy, Jennie Ruby Jane of Blackpink fame, Tarantino protege Eli Roth, Hari Nef, Hank Azaria, and music-producing legend Mike Dean.
Mary Laws of Succession, Preacher, and Neon Demon fame has co-written The Idol with The Weeknd, while Joseph Epstein has steered the ship as showrunner and Atlanta alum Amy Seimetz has directed all six episodes. Bonus: the upcoming drama series also counts the involvement of indie powerhouse A24.
Currently, HBO has not confirmed a release date for The Idol starring The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp beyond sometime in 2023 — check out the brand new teaser trailer above and the first one below.
