HBOMax is diving into the word of “edgy YA” with its new series, Industry. Industry tells the story of a handful of young graduates vying for a spot at Pierpoint & Co. A London-based investment bank where only half of the newbies get a permanent job.

Industry was created by first-time showrunners Mickey Down and Konrad Kay. With the very controversial Lena Dunham (Girls) directing and executive-producing the pilot. While most films or shows about the world of finance follow along the lines of the eccentric The Wolf of Wall Street or the rivalry over money in Billions. Industry decides to forge its own path by following entry-level graduates on their journey to the top. While this concept sounds ripe with excitement, drama, maybe actually learning a thing or two about the world on paper. The executive falls flat. It’s overly predictable, “drama” that is barely surface level, and speaks to its audience in an oddly condescending way.

Industry Fails To Produce

Industry has a chance to break barriers. Instead of forwarding their wannabe progressive storyline, expose the toxic, sexist, straight white man’s world work environment that is the financial world, but instead, everyone goes to work, makes or loses some money, then goes out to get laid. The end. We don’t learn enough about who these characters are to care if they triumph or fail. We don’t stay in the financial world long enough to learn anything about what they’re doing. If you’re going to start a show with entry-level people, a la Grey’s Anatomy, I’m gonna need to learn something about 401K or stock trading. At this point, I’m pretty sure I can perform an appendectomy due to Shonda Rhimes. On top of all that, these are not characters we haven’t seen before and they’re been written in such a stereotypical fashion they’re unlikable. 

Full disclosure, I was only able to watch the first four episodes of the season and it’s possible the back half of the show is lit. However, I would find that shocking. I will say, the standout character of the show is Eric, played by Ken Leung (Lost). He is oddly written with great dynamics and shows you just how deranged passionate you have to be in order to work and thrive in this world. 

In case you decide you wanna give it a try, you can catch all-new episodes of Industry Monday Nights at 10 pm on HBOMax.