"The Idol" is perhaps one of the most hotly-anticipated television series by HBO to hit 2023. With the controversy surrounding its production and its explicit and very graphic themes, people on the internet were divided.
The television series coming to HBO has The Weeknd as one of its executive producers. It also starred the multiplatinum artist apart from Troye Sivan, BLACKPINK's Jennie Kim, and Lily-Rose Depp, among many others.
At the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in France, the pilot episode of the show was premiered, which reportedly earned a huge standing ovation from the audience.
The Idol Cannes Film Festival Standing Ovation
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "The Idol" earned a five-minute standing ovation from the audience as it premiered at the prestigious film festival.
"Euphoria" creator Sam Levinson was also reported to be in tears as he choked up on his thank you speech after the showing.
Despite the controversy that the show was riddled with a few months ago, Levinson, who was also a target of the said issues, was very thankful for the opportunity to present the show at the Cannes Film Festival, noting that it was a "dream" for him to be in it.
He also noted that he was "proud of this show" and "proud of how we made this show." Notably, a Rolling Stone exposé revealed the poor working conditions that the production faced after Levinson became part of the show. It was also reported that the show changed its trajectory after his onboarding - what is presumed a last-ditch effort to save the highly-anticipated show.
Depp and The Weeknd flatly denied the accusations.
The publication also reported that the explicit scenes on the show were "tamed" by Cannes standards, and it could be different once the show will premiere on HBO on Jun. 4, 2023.
READ ALSO: The Weeknd Says He 'Sacrificed' His Health to Make 'The Idol' Work
'The Idol' Reviews Contradicting Cannes Standing Ovation?
Meanwhile, the word on Twitter is different. Amid the reports of the successful premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. New York Times journalist Kyle Buchanan expressed his thoughts on "The Idol" on the said social media platform.
Check out his very detailed review below.
“The Idol,” or 50 SHADES OF TESFAYE: A Pornhub-homepage odyssey starring Lily Rose Depp’s areolas and The Weeknd’s greasy rat tail. Love that this will help launch the HBO Max rebrand, should slot nicely next to House Hunters!
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) May 22, 2023
Aside from Buchanan, Indiewire Editor Erick Kohn also expressed his displeasure.
Yeah, THE IDOL has the EUPHORIA vibes you might expect but it’s really more like somebody put BLACK SWAN, SUCCESSION, and SECRETARY in a blender and let it rip. Prepare yourself for quite the discourse… #cannes
— erickohn (@erickohn) May 22, 2023
Meanwhile, a report says that the show received mixed reviews from people in the audience.
Lots of strong reactions to #TheIdol out of #Cannes2023 — ranging from “I hated it” to “the TV version of clickbait” to “I don’t need to see any more of Lily-Rose Depp naked.”
— Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) May 22, 2023
READ ALSO: The Weeknd Opposes Criticisms Against Upcoming Show 'The Idol': 'Hollywood is a Dark Place'
