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In this movie review, I’m diving into the gripping season finale of ‘The Studio’, which is exclusively available on Apple TV+. If you haven’t watched it yet, beware of potential spoilers ahead! This final episode was a thrilling rollercoaster ride that left me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Don’t miss out on this captivating conclusion to an exceptional season!

Seth Rogen and his team deserve a great deal of recognition for creating such an uproariously entertaining streaming experience during The Studio’s first season. From top-notch directors making cameo appearances as themselves to the brilliant satire involving their Kool-Aid film, Rogen’s talent for slapstick humor shines brightly. The lead cast is undeniably excellent, but the finale solidifies that Bryan Cranston, a recurring star, is not just this show’s standout feature, but arguably the funniest thing on television in 2025.

Absolutely, the unusual peaks and valleys experienced by Cranston’s character Griffin Mill wouldn’t have been possible without the happenings in the previous episode titled “CinemaCon”. This incident played a significant role in strengthening this point as it was here that Griffin consumed numerous shroom-laced chocolates and other substances, resulting in a rather clumsy and incomprehensible presentation called “The Presentation.” Now, let me tell you more about…

Bryan Cranston Deserves Awards For His Weekend At Bernie’s-esque Physical Comedy

On the day of CinemaCon, it appears that Matt’s ambitious plan for a stellar presentation might not materialize, given the sleep-deprived state everyone finds themselves in. The night before was filled with a wild party fueled by hallucinogens, which Matt thought was a good idea despite Griffin’s presence. Griffin’s behavior that night – drinking, eating, and snorting whatever he could get his hands on – certainly raised eyebrows, especially considering Griffin is 82 years old, much older than people generally believe.

This situation is turning into a nightmare for Matt, Sal, and others, and the ending becomes somewhat self-referential and humorous, reminiscent of the 1989 film “Weekend at Bernie’s.” (This is the second reference to an Andrew McCarthy movie, following Matt’s mention of “Mannequin” in a previous episode.) If done incorrectly, this gimmick could quickly become tiresome, but “The Studio” manages to make it into an art form due to Bryan Cranston’s exceptional physical comedy skills.

Watching Cranston not play a corpse adds an extra layer of humor to his random and unpredictable actions, leaving me questioning if a puppet was standing in for the actor, until I remembered it was really Bryan Cranston on screen. Each time his head flopped back or forward, mouth agape, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. His attempts to lick an ice cream cone were particularly amusing and left me in stitches. I needed to rewind the scene multiple times because my laughter drowned out the jokes.

Although some viewers are eager for Bryan Cranston’s return to Malcolm in the Middle for its upcoming reboot, it seems unlikely that anything he performs in those four episodes will surpass the brilliance of his work in Studio. This feat is even more astonishing given how difficult and enigmatic the character was during the series finale, with his most significant line being the “Movies!” chant at the end.

That was an exceptional show, not commonly seen in today’s entertainment world, but Cranston has undeniably shown that the charm of slapstick endures forever. If by any chance some unreleased episodes from The Studio revolve around Griffin Mill, I am prepared to go to great lengths to ensure they are aired.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I must say that Bryan Cranston’s performance in the climactic episode of The Studio is truly extraordinary, standing head and shoulders above all others. Yet, amidst his remarkable acting, Zoë Kravitz delivers a scene-stealing performance. She finds herself in an unexpected predicament when she consumes far too many mysterious chocolates, unaware that they contain psilocybin. What follows is a wild and exhilarating sequence that leaves the audience on the edge of their seats.

In simpler terms, I admit that if I had been there, I would have enjoyed watching the entire scene unfold in real life, as Kravitz’s behavior turned out to be incredibly amusing and unpredictable. One of the most memorable moments? Her flawlessly delivering the Blackwing presentation at CinemaCon, followed by her playful admission that she was nervously urinating on stage. It was a mix of utter chaos and hilarity.

Honorable Mention #1: Zoë Kravitz On Mushrooms Is A+ Television

Honorable Mention #2: Dave Franco Should Always Be This Hysterically Loud And Unpredictable

During the last two episodes of The Studio, Dave Franco seems almost superfluous from a storytelling angle, but indispensable for adding comic relief. In essence, his role is to provide the most boisterous and unpredictable exposition, as he’s also under various forms of influence.

Franco’s raw, unrestrained enthusiasm and captivating grin make his performance stand out, even though it primarily consists of shouting and relishing in the chaos. It’s clear that he becomes just as immersed in the madness as anyone else, managing to deliver an impressive CinemaCon presentation despite being covered in blood from a separate incident. It’s not easy to criticize the audience for applauding it because, surprisingly, it turns out to be quite impactful given its spontaneous nature.

If Bryan Cranston doesn’t get nominated for Guest Actor at the Emmys when they return, it seems like there might not be much left to do but prepare a batch of mushroom-laced chocolates and stage my own homemade version of the awards ceremony. Frankly, that’s probably best kept private.

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2025-05-23 01:16