Succession Review: A Savage Satire of the Super-Rich

Madison Clarke
TV ShowsDramaComedy
Succession (2018)

9.5/10 — Succession (2018)

Pros

  • Ferocious dialogue
  • Outstanding cast
  • Satisfying ending

Cons

  • Hard to like anyone
  • Slow opening

Ageing media tycoon Logan Roy, played by Brian Cox, must decide which of his children will take over the family company, Waystar Royco. Created by Jesse Armstrong, it ran for four seasons.

What works

The dialogue crackles with inventive insults, and the cast, including Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin and Matthew Macfadyen, is exceptional. The show balances comedy and tragedy, and the finale is satisfying.

Where it falters

The characters are so unpleasant that it can be hard to care, and the first few episodes are a slow start.

Verdict

Gripping, funny and bleak, a modern classic.

Madison ClarkeBy Madison Clarke