There are no good billionaires in new trailer for HBO’s Mountainhead movie

The Verge - May 16th, 2025
Open on The Verge

Jesse Armstrong, the creator of Succession, is set to debut a new HBO feature titled Mountainhead, which offers a sharp critique of the obscenely wealthy tech elite. The story follows four tech billionaires portrayed by Steve Carrell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith, and Ramy Yousef, who retreat to a mountain cabin. Their companies have made them immensely rich, and they view their wealth as a justification for their extravagant lifestyle. However, their moral compass is questioned when Venis' social media platform, Traam, is linked to an increase in violence, challenging the CEOs' denial about the negative impact of their creations.

Mountainhead's release is timely, echoing real-world tech controversies like recent issues with Grok, a platform criticized for spreading divisive narratives. Although billed as a comedy, the film's portrayal of tech moguls casually joking about world domination underscores a chilling reality, mirroring how some actual tech leaders discuss societal matters. This juxtaposition might make Mountainhead resonate as a dramatic documentary rather than just a satirical piece when it premieres on May 31st.

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RATING

6.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging overview of the upcoming film 'Mountainhead,' highlighting its themes and relevance to current societal debates about technology and wealth. While it effectively captures the film's premise and potential impact, it lacks depth in source quality and transparency, which affects its overall reliability. The article's focus on the negative portrayal of tech billionaires could benefit from a more balanced exploration of diverse perspectives. Despite these limitations, the article's clarity and relevance make it a valuable read for those interested in film and contemporary issues.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents a fictional narrative about a movie, 'Mountainhead,' directed by Jesse Armstrong. The factual claims about the movie's setting, characters, and themes are consistent with the information available from various sources. The article accurately describes the film's premise involving tech billionaires and their moral dilemmas. However, some plot details, such as the specific role of the generative AI platform Traam in the storyline, require further verification as they are not fully disclosed in the trailer or other promotional materials. Additionally, the comparison to real-world tech issues is speculative and should be clarified to avoid potential inaccuracies.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the negative portrayal of tech billionaires, suggesting they are not characters to root for. This perspective is heavily emphasized, potentially overshadowing other narrative elements or character complexities that might be present in the film. The focus on the negative aspects of tech influence aligns with current societal critiques, yet it lacks a counterbalance that might explore positive contributions or diverse viewpoints within the tech industry. This emphasis could lead to a skewed perception of the film's thematic intentions.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, providing a coherent narrative about the film's plot and themes. The language is straightforward, making the content accessible to a broad audience. However, the speculative nature of some claims, particularly those comparing the film's themes to contemporary issues, could be more clearly delineated to avoid confusion. Overall, the article maintains a logical flow and effectively communicates its main points.

5
Source quality

The article does not cite any specific sources or references to back its claims about the film's plot or thematic content. The reliance on a trailer for information limits the depth of analysis and could benefit from insights from interviews with the director or cast members. The absence of direct quotes or attributions to credible sources reduces the article's overall reliability and authority.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency regarding its sources and methodology for obtaining information about the film. There is no disclosure of how the writer accessed details about the movie beyond the trailer. This lack of transparency can lead to questions about the basis for specific claims, such as the film's intended tone or its parallels to real-world events. A clearer explanation of the information sources and any potential biases would enhance the article's transparency.

Sources

  1. https://www.motionpictures.org/2025/05/mountainhead-trailer-reveals-succession-creator-jesse-armstrongs-film-debut/
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27cN2_k0JF0
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxsyXc-LpKk
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U8LYBCiWgg
  5. https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65245940/