HBO's 'The Franchise' Offers Satirical Look at Superhero Film Industry

The new series skewers the Hollywood machine with sharp wit but struggles with character depth.

Created by Jon Brown, Armando Iannucci, and Sam Mendes, 'The Franchise' satirizes the challenges of making superhero movies.
The series follows Daniel, a first assistant director, as he navigates egos and absurdities on the set of a fictional superhero film.
Critics praise Daniel Brühl's standout performance as a director overwhelmed by corporate demands.
While the show offers incisive commentary on Hollywood's focus on brand over creativity, it sometimes lacks character development.
The eight-episode series highlights issues like product placement and the pressures faced by women in the industry.