The Studio episode 9 review: A psychedelic circus of ego, excess, and entertainment

Episode 9 appears to trade The Studio’s signature incisive commentary and satire for full-blown, mushroom-fueled insanity. Rest assured, silliness knows no bounds in this episode, making everything infinitely more ridiculous.

Matt Remick's latest misguided effort to reach cool-guy status spirals into a catastrophic masterpiece set at CinemaCon (the actual industry convention where studios spend a fortune to beg theater owners to take their films). Within the bubble of The Studio, this sort of wooing manifests as a melange of ego-driven, drug-crazed delirium that endangers the very existence of Continental Studios.

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The Studio - A party to end all parties

If you assumed this season has already driven Matt Remick to his limits, think again. With a critical presentation in the works and his career on the line, Matt hosts an “Old Hollywood” party complete with artisanal mushroom chocolates which he does not completely comprehend. This is the start of a spectacular spiral into madness.

The party, a splendidly choreographed sensory overload of chaos, vividness, and fame, is The Studio at its most deranged. From board members to unsuspecting celebrities, everyone is stumbling, panicking, and in Zoe Kravitz's case, holed up in a bedroom after choking on the psychedelic snacks. It’s outrageous, it’s disorderly, and it’s side-splitting.

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Bryan Cranston steals the spotlight

Among the galaxy of celebrity cameos, Bryan Cranston returns as the stoic and secretive Griffin Mill, and has the entire episode to himself as effortlessly as he seems to do everything. His slow unraveling underneath the influence is the emotional and comedic centerpiece.

At one point, he is consuming nacho cheese with his bare hands and at another attempting to 'buy' into a blackjack game with a stolen lobster. The sight of Griffin cast adrift in the Venetian's gondolas is quintessential The Studio; both surreal and tragic, yet deeply funny.

Exaggerating reality as himself, Dave Franco bathes in the mayhem, providing some of the episode's most memorable lines. Riding high off her recent accolade, Zoë Kravitz enthusiastically dives into the lunacy with impressively unrestrained intensity. And, as always, Seth Rogen stabilizes the chaos just enough to provide balance with sufficient reality to keep the episode from derailing completely.

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Form gives way to frenzy

As with previous episodes, Episode 9 abandons satire of the business and cleverness of the writing, being completely disorganized. There is no balance of polish as pure ‘pushing the pedal’ is embraced. Episode 9 is an over load of non stop flashing lights, nonsensical screaming, and ever increasingly outlandish misadventures.

Some fans might disagree and claim that this is not the direction they wanted to take the show as punch lines driven by logic have been dismissed in favor of exaggerated notions that might puzzle half the people within the audience. However, it’s not smart to ignore how ambitious this episode is.

Disregarding control is always a bold move especially with the disorientation one feels when you’re miles and miles away from your designated location which serves as metaphor for the consistent feeling entertainment provide.

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Final curtain (almost)

As the episode wraps up, the outlines of the big picture become starkly evident: Continental’s future hangs on Matt’s flawless delivery of the presentation scheduled for the next morning. Yet, with half the team still trapped in a Kennedy hallucination and the other half looking for a missing Griffin Mill, the prospects are grim.

The anticipation marks the end of the ninth episode, which is devoid of resolution. Although the storm has passed, the aftermath is dire—suggesting a possible ending where Matt's arrogance and blunder inflict a devastating and overdue consequence.

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Verdict: A riotous high

Episode 9 of The Studio is a reckless, chaotic detour that sacrifices refinement for pandemonium—and somehow sticks the landing. Fueled by ego, hallucinogens, and sharp performances, it encapsulates the absurdity of contemporary Hollywood in one nightmarishly comedic ride.

Unlike the rest of the series, this chaotic energy might be a bit off-putting to some, but the narrative risk is worth the payout. This set the stage for a finale where the consequences of indulgence can no longer be avoided. This isn’t just the season’s wildest hour, it also stands as one of its most revealing.