Writer/director Jesse Armstrong has made quite a name for himself writing some of the sharpest, funniest, and most cutting stories about the ultra-wealthy and the spectacular messes they make of their lives. Best known as the creator of HBO’s Emmy-winning hit “Succession,” Armstrong has spent years pulling back the curtain on privilege, power, and the kind of narcissistic behavior only the wealthiest people in the world can get away with. Now, he’s making his feature-length directorial debut with a brand-new HBO original film called “Mountainhead” — and yes, it’s very much in his wheelhouse.
The film premieres Saturday, May 31 at 8:00 pm ET on HBO, and will also be available to stream on HBO Max (which just changed its name back).
READ MORE: The 75 Most Anticipated TV Shows Of 2025 
“Mountainhead” centers on a group of billionaire friends gathering together just as an international crisis unfolds. It’s the kind of setup Armstrong thrives in: rich people misbehaving while the world burns around them, and they barely notice. Expect the same biting humor, uncomfortable tension, and painfully self-absorbed characters that made “Succession” addictive.
The cast is stacked with talented people who know their way around complicated roles. Steve Carell (“The Big Short”) stars as Randall, with Jason Schwartzman (“The Grand Budapest Hotel”) playing Souper (real name: Hugo Van Yalk), Cory Michael Smith (“Gotham”) as Venis, and Ramy Youssef (“Ramy”) as Jeff. It’s a mix of comedy, drama, and satire — all things Armstrong knows how to blend brilliantly.
Support independent movie journalism to keep it alive. Sign up for The Playlist Newsletter. All the content you want and, oh, right, it’s free.
Behind the scenes, Armstrong is joined by a crew of familiar names from “Succession,” including executive producers Frank Rich, Lucy Prebble, Jon Brown, Tony Roche, Will Tracy, Mark Mylod, and Jill Footlick.
If you’ve missed the sharp edge and brutal honesty of “Succession,” “Mountainhead” looks like the perfect follow-up. It’s Armstrong doing what he does best: exposing the cracks in the lives of the rich and powerful, and reminding us, often hilariously, sometimes painfully, how out of touch they can be.
“Mountainhead” premieres Saturday, May 31. Watch the new trailer below.