Written by Sam Clark

Certificate: 15 

Running time: 108 minutes 

Director: Jesse Armstrong

What is the one thing scarier than any form of horror film? The cold, hard truth of reality. That is what is front and centre of ''Mountainhead'', a comedic examination of how the entire world seems to rest on the shoulders of four tech bro billionaires (well three billionaires and one millionaire - a key plot point). This is a film that is by no means reinventing the wheel of political satire, and you can even say its simple and basic in its execution (its geography and scale is as limited as these things always are - although its never about that), but is it one that has an undeniably frightening sense of relevance and importance in our current climate - and makes us worry about what it to come. 

From writer/director Jesse Armstrong - who seems to be the go to guy whenever anyone wants to attack or make fun of the rich - who is perhaps most notable for creating ''Succession'' (and has a CV that includes ''Peep Show'', ''Black Mirror'', ''Veep'', ''Four Lions'' and ''In the Loop''), he is right at home once again here. Set (even the setting is excellently metaphorical) in a clean and polished lodge that is virtually sitting on top of the world, we follow four tech moguls who are gathering for a retreat in the middle of global turmoil: ''Randall'' (Steve Carell - ), ''Hugo Van Yalk'' aka ''Soup'' (Jason Schwartzman), ''Venis'' (Cory Michael Smith) and ''Jeff'' (Ramy Youssef). Jason Schwartzman's character is nicknamed ''Soup'' which is in reference to a soup kitchen, a label mockingly given to him due to the fact he is yet to became a billionaire unlike the others (the fact they all consider his $500 million dollar net worth as poor truly speaks volumes and tells you all you need to know). 

Photo credit: IMDb/ HBO Films

Most of the crisis featured in the story is based on misinformation that is being fueled by AI-generated lies, spreading at a dangerous and alarming rate. This is all taking place through ''Traam'', a social media platform owned by ''Venis'', to whom does not even appear to bat an eye at the ongoing disaster. Tensions slowly start to rise between the group as ''Jeff'' proposes a plan to take control of the platform from ''Venis''. Everything and everyone is constantly on edge, and things begin to go spectacularly wrong.

''Mountainhead'' is exactly what you expect it to be, and the main question that remains is where does it rank in the great pantheon of political comedies. For me, it did feel oddly restrained compared to others, but by no means holds back it's punches. Armstrong has said that it only took three months to film, and it does feel like something quick and easy for him to do in between projects, but still feels as accomplished as his other work. It doesn't have the absolute manic state of ''The Thick of It'' or ''In the Loop'' - those two cranked and turned the insanity up to eleven -  but still remembers to give you your minutes worth.

Photo credit: IMDb/ HBO Films

Here, very much like the setting it takes place in, it did feel like a breath of much needed fresh air and space to relax, but still managed to maintain a steady and quick enough pace to keep you interested and engaged. As was previously alluded to, the film's choice of setting is genius and is itself a character in the film. The decision to set this in a gorgeous lodge on a mountain, far away from any kind of human contact - and therefore any conflict, problem or sense of responsibility - is a great analogy all throughout. Even the location is proving how cowardly they are. I don't wish so speak on behalf of others, but part of me suspects that the sheer onslaught of news and information we are given may prove to be too much for people to process all at once. There is a lot going on constantly and numerous different threads happening at the same time, and some may prefer a slightly slower approach and alternative. 

But, that's the way the world works, constant social media and news feeds all reporting various atrocities. Here, the primary focus is AI, deepfake and wars. The performances from the central four do, essentially, merge into one. They are as slimy as each other and are playing a game of whose the most dislikeable and untrustworthy. When you have four characters all at the center and forefront, there's always the question of who get's more screen time and development. Thankfully, you do feel that they are all given an equal amount, and it is balanced out well, you feel the same amount of disdain for each.

Photo credit: IMDb/ HBO Films

The dialogue all the way through comes thick and fast, and you do have to pay quite close attention. The fact that the film is also so simple works well in its favour, as it is pointing out issues that are so obvious to the world which are, as a result, easy to make fun of. The fact all of this is done so effortlessly does demonstrate the dire condition and situation we find ourselves in. That is not to say this is not well written, given the fact that Armstrong does stuff like this in his sleep, but the whole concept is essentially given to him on a plate as the behavior and stupidity of the rich is so easy to mock and ridicule. 

In the last half of proceedings, it could be said that the film ever so slightly loses it's edge and turns into a something a bit more internalized. You feel as though it's lost some of it's plot and point, but it had more than earned the right to relax a little given so much is established and set up at the start. ''Mountainhead'' is about as scathing as you would expect from something like this, and as funny and sharp. If things like this do not serve as a wake up call, nothing will. Jesse Armstrong has done it again. 

Available on Sky Atlantic