Common Sense Media Review
By Danny Brogan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tech bros satire from creator of 'Succession'; language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mountainhead
What's the Story?
MOUNTAINHEAD sees friends and ultra-wealthy tech capitalists Randall (Steve Carell), Souper (Jason Schwartzman), Venis (Cory Michael Smith), and Jeff (Ramy Youssef) come together for a weekend of catching up and poker. But while they're holed up in Souper's luxury mountain home, news continues to come through of increasing chaos across the globe, caused by the very tech the group are invested in.
Is It Any Good?
Jesse Armstrong, creator of hit TV show Succession, once again delves into the lives of the ultra-rich in this satirical comedy-drama. Mountainhead belongs very much in the Logan Roy universe, and fans of that show will enjoy seeing Armstrong's acidic writing portrayed once again on-screen. But beneath the barbed one-liners, egos, and one-upmanship are some scary, and prescient, reminders of how artificial intelligence and disinformation could damage society in untold ways, if it isn't properly handled. As the four friends jostle for status, measuring their billions against each other—Souper the "poor" friend, having failed to reach the billion dollar club—the world below them literally burns, a result of Venis' unregulated AI that is allowing people to create and share fake videos on his social media platform, Traam. None of the characters are likable, but, much like Succession, this doesn't diminish the movie's entertainment, even if you are hoping for a giant avalanche to put an end to things.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the role of fake news and AI in Mountainhead. How did AI-generated fake videos impact society globally? Is this something that concerns you in real life? What lessons did you take from the movie? Why must we be careful with what we share online? Helping kids navigate the world of artificial intelligence.
Discuss the language in the film. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Talk about the relationships between the four main characters. Would you call them friends? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 31, 2025
- Cast : Steve Carell , Jason Schwartzman , Ramy Youssef
- Director : Jesse Armstrong
- Inclusion Information : Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : HBO Max
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 108 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : June 11, 2025
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