Jesse Armstrong, the creator of HBO’s Succession, has written and directed his first feature film, Mountainhead, which will begin streaming on HBO on May 31.
The film focuses on three tech billionaires and their less wealthy, insecure friend as they gather for a retreat in the mountains.
The story explores their vast power, arrogance, and risky plans, including using deepfake technology and AI to influence the world and potentially overthrow the U.S. government.
Armstrong was inspired to make Mountainhead after reviewing Michael Lewis’ book Going Infinite, about crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried, and listening to podcasts about tech elites.
He says the “tech billionaire voice“—marked by extreme confidence and arrogance—stayed with him throughout the project.
The cast includes Steve Carell as Randall, a venture capitalist facing terminal cancer who hopes to achieve immortality through technology; Jason Schwartzman as Hugo Van Yalk (“Souper”), the host of the retreat; Cory Michael Smith as Venis, a tech mogul who spreads hyperrealistic deepfakes; and Ramy Youssef as Jeff, who aims to profit from AI that counters Venis’ chaos.
Filming took place over a few weeks during the spring, set against the backdrop of Donald Trump’s second term and Elon Musk’s involvement with Dogecoin. The actors found mastering the “tech voice” challenging but relied on instinct and trust during the fast-paced shoot.
Armstrong expresses some sympathy for tech leaders who face complex responsibilities, especially around AI. He acknowledges the enormous wealth and slow-moving regulations make it difficult to control the power they wield. He even describes the Roy family’s media empire in Succession as “quaint” compared to today’s tech giants.
Carell refrains from demonizing his character, pointing to a human fear of death as Randall’s motivation to seek a technological escape, even at great cost to others.
The film ends on an ambiguous note, with these powerful men still controlling the future, blurring the line between satire and reality.
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