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The Studio Episodes 1 & 2 Recap and Explanation: A Kool-Aid Movie, Martin Scorsese Faces Rejection, and more
Apple TV+’s The Studio has arrived, bringing a hilarious deep dive into the chaotic world of Hollywood filmmaking. Starring Seth Rogen as Matt Remick, a desperate studio executive struggling to stay relevant, the show blends sharp satire with laugh-out-loud moments.
The first two episodes, titled, “The Promotion” and “The Owner", respectively, released together, set the stage for an outrageous corporate comedy as Matt navigates clueless bosses, bizarre film deals, and his own misguided ambitions. Let’s break down the episodes!
Who is Matt Remick?
The show kicks off on the set of a high-octane action movie starring Paul Dano, with Matt Remick lingering awkwardly in the background. As a studio executive at Continental Studios, once a Hollywood giant but now in decline, Matt is desperate to be taken seriously in the creative process.
But directors like Peter Berg (playing himself) brush off his unsolicited input, reinforcing his growing frustration—he’s been in the industry for over two decades, yet he’s still just a suit in the eyes of real filmmakers. Matt’s ambitions go beyond just running a studio; he sees himself as a cinephile, someone who should be shaping the industry rather than merely overseeing budgets.
But his reality is far from glamorous—he's never invited to A-list parties, and his daily grind consists of sitting through meetings with toy companies like Jenga and Rubik’s Cube, whose brands Continental is trying to turn into films. His career takes an unexpected turn when his boss, Patty Leigh, is fired, and he finds himself in line for a major promotion.
Matt’s Unexpected Promotion & The Kool-Aid Movie
Matt’s career takes an unexpected turn when his boss, Patty Leigh, suddenly goes missing. As panic sets in at the studio, Matt learns from his assistant, Quinn, that Patty has actually been fired. With the studio’s CEO, Griffin Mill, making an unannounced visit, Matt seizes the opportunity to prove himself.
Griffin, inspired (or rather, envious) of the massive success of Barbie, wants Continental to produce its own blockbuster based on a beloved brand. His choice? Kool-Aid. Yes, the sugary drink mascot. He wants the Kool-Aid Man to get his own movie, and Griffin wants Matt to oversee it.
The offer comes with a huge catch—if Matt delivers, he’ll be named the new head of Continental Studios. Despite his artistic aspirations, Matt caves in, ready to sell out for corporate power.
Matt Tries (and Fails) to work with Martin Scorsese
Determined to bring some prestige to the absurd Kool-Aid project, Matt approaches legendary director Martin Scorsese. The director has an idea- what if the film tackled the Jonestown massacre, where Jim Jones’s cult drank cyanide-laced Kool-Aid? To Matt’s shock, Scorsese loves the idea, even casting Steve Buscemi as Jim Jones.
However, this ambitious plan immediately backfires. When Griffin hears about it, he’s horrified—tying their new business partner, Kool-Aid, to a mass suicide is a PR nightmare. In an instant, Matt abandons his principles, lying to Griffin that he only bought Scorsese’s script to ensure it never gets made. This moment cements Matt’s transformation from a self-proclaimed artist to just another Hollywood sellout.
How Matt Ruins a film Shoot
In episode two, Matt and his rival, Sal Seperstein, visit the set of a Continental Studios project directed by Oscar-winner Sarah Polley (Women Talking). The day’s shoot involves a critical one-take final scene, but Matt, eager to prove his creative worth, interrupts with a suggestion—what if the protagonist smokes a cigarette in the last shot?
Hoping to score a favor, Polley agrees, but only if Matt funds the use of an expensive Rolling Stones song for the soundtrack. Flattered, Matt readily agrees, not realizing he’s being played. Meanwhile, he also gets manipulated by actress Greta Lee (Past Lives), who showers him with praise just to score a private jet for the film’s promo tour.
Despite his friends Sal and Patty warning him that people only treat him differently because of his new power, Matt is oblivious. By the time the shoot finally begins, they’ve run out of daylight, and the entire day’s filming is wasted. Just like his failed Scorsese deal, this costly disaster proves that Matt is nowhere near ready to be a real studio head.
What’s next for Matt and Continental Studios?
The first two episodes of The Studio paint a hilarious yet bleak picture of Hollywood’s corporate machine, where creativity takes a backseat to branding deals and executive egos. With Matt now at the top, but still as clueless as ever, it remains to be seen whether he can actually steer Continental Studios toward success—or if he’ll keep tripping over his own ambition.
With sharp writing and a standout performance from Seth Rogen, The Studio has all the makings of a must-watch comedy. The series is just getting started, and if these first episodes are any indication, we’re in for a wildly entertaining ride.
Where can you Stream The Studio?
New episodes of The Studio are available to stream every Wednesday on Apple TV+. The third episode, titled, “The Note” will air on April 2, 2025.
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