HBO's 'The Franchise' Satirizes Superhero Movie Industry with Mixed Results

Despite a star-studded cast and high-profile producers, the new comedy series struggles with dated jokes and inconsistent satire.

The Franchise follows the chaotic production of a superhero movie, Tecto: Eye of the Storm, at a Marvel-like studio.
The series is created by Jon Brown and produced by Armando Iannucci and Sam Mendes, featuring talents like Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, and Richard E. Grant.
Critics note that the show’s satire often feels tired and superficial, failing to bring fresh insights to the superhero genre.
Despite strong performances, particularly from Richard E. Grant and Billy Magnussen, the show’s humor frequently falls flat.
The Franchise premieres on HBO and Max on October 6, with new episodes releasing weekly.