The Idol – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Idol

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2023

12%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

HBO's notorious flop about a pop star and her toxic guru—explicit, exploitative, and universally panned by critics.

19%

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The Idol

show

TV-MA, 2023

12%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

HBO's notorious flop about a pop star and her toxic guru—explicit, exploitative, and universally panned by critics.

19%

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19%

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be blunt: The Idol is a train wreck. With a 19% critic score and 4.4 on IMDb, this isn't just controversial—it's bad television. The show tries to critique the dark side of fame but ends up wallowing in the very exploitation it claims to examine.

The explicit sexual content isn't just mature; it's gratuitous and often depicts violence and manipulation without meaningful context or consequence. The relationship at the center is toxic in ways the show seems to romanticize rather than condemn.

For parents: Keep this completely off-limits for kids and teens. Block it on HBO Max profiles, and be aware that clips have been circulating on TikTok. Even if your older teen asks about it because of the controversy, this isn't a teachable moment—it's just poorly executed shock content.

For adults wondering if they should hate-watch: Save your time. This isn't so-bad-it's-good; it's just uncomfortable and dull.

Age Fit

This is strictly for adults 18+ only, and even then, it's hard to recommend given the poor execution and exploitative content. Common Sense Media suggests 15+, but that's far too lenient—the graphic sexual violence and overall tone make this inappropriate for teens.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Explicitly depicts exploitative relationships, graphic sexual content, substance abuse, and emotional manipulation. The show centers on a toxic dynamic between a vulnerable pop star and a predatory nightclub owner, with virtually no positive role models or healthy relationship dynamics. The tone is deliberately dark and exploitative rather than cautionary.

Imaginative

While the show attempts to explore the dark underbelly of fame and the music industry, it relies heavily on shock value rather than creative storytelling. The premise of a pop star's 'romantic awakening' with a manipulative guru is neither original nor thoughtfully executed. Critics gave it a 19% on Rotten Tomatoes and 27 on Metacritic, indicating the creative execution failed to land.

Safe

TV-MA rating with extensive explicit sexual content, full nudity, graphic depictions of sexual violence and torture, frequent profanity, and drug/alcohol abuse throughout. The show has circulated on TikTok in clips, creating risk of unintentional exposure for minors. This is categorically unsafe for anyone under 18, and arguably exploitative even for adults.

Enriching

While the show ostensibly examines fame, power dynamics, and exploitation in the entertainment industry, it does so through gratuitous shock tactics rather than meaningful insight. The poor critical reception (4.4 IMDb, 19% RT) suggests it fails to deliver substantive commentary. Any potential discussion value about consent or industry exploitation is undermined by the exploitative nature of the show itself.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

If you're morbidly curious about one of HBO's most controversial misfires, it's a cultural moment to witness
Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd give committed performances despite the material
Could spark discussions about exploitation in the entertainment industry—though the show itself is part of the problem

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What to Watch For

Graphic sexual content, full nudity, and depictions of sexual violence throughout—this is not hyperbole
Glorification of toxic, manipulative relationships without clear critique or consequences
Substance abuse depicted extensively without meaningful context
Clips have been circulating on TikTok—monitor your teen's social feeds to prevent accidental exposure
Even for adults, this is more exploitative than insightful

Conversation Starters

"What do you think the show is trying to say about fame and power? Does it succeed or just exploit its own subject matter?"
"How can you tell the difference between a relationship that's passionate versus one that's manipulative and unhealthy?"
"Why do you think critics and audiences responded so negatively to this show?"

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