Industry (2020– ) User Reviews

A Diet Succession

[Mr_Yellow7 · 8/10 · 30 November 2020]

Let's be honest, this show is not for typical tv viewers. There is a lot in each episode to sift through, between the characters interactions, how events cause reactions that don't happen until episodes later; even the financial "jargon" they use is confusing. Not to mention the subject just might not be someone's cup of tea.

However that does little to subtract from the show. On the contrary I like the fact we get drawn deep into the "Industry". The writing is excellent, the soundtrack is something any synth lover would adore, the characters are multi-dimensional with their own shortcomings and goals. And the cinematography as well as the continuity, are both great. I noticed in a scene after a meeting that the characters in the meeting were going back to their desks in the background unfocused which was a nice touch.

Overall I would recommend this to anyone who would be remotely interested in what would go on in a high level bank or even for some sleazy office drama.

It's addictive

[pablo_moriano · 8/10 · 8 December 2020]

Love it. Relationships at work. Success. Failure. Flirt. Maybe traders are not like these, but I think it's superb how they portray this life full of ups and downs where everything is so intense. Well done.

Ignore the harsh reviews

[guysalisbury · 8/10 · 10 November 2020]

This felt fresh. The soundtrack is stunning. It has a nice balance of subtle humour and tension. Yes, everyone in it seems like a prick, but isn't that why we all love Succession? I'll definitely be watching more.

Great show

[megacom-03116 · 9/10 · 17 November 2020]

I do not understand the negative reviews I thought this was a great script with good acting.Some bits clichéd but if you have worked in finance you know that the working culture IS a cliche.Good show that I enjoyed

Niche Target Audience

[dishantpatel88 · 9/10 · 11 November 2020]

Being in the industry myself as an intern, I can say that there is a lot of truth behind what I've seen in the first episode.

The show definitely has a niche target however, which is probably why there are numerous bad ratings. Many admirable things in the show can only be appreciated by those in the industry/position of the main characters, which makes it that much less appealing to those who aren't.

However, like Suits, there are also some ridiculous blown out of proportion details.

Addictive and Frustrating

[bef1991 · 6/10 · 22 June 2023]

This show is very intriguing and frustrating at the same time. It's a good story and with a talented cast but my struggle is with the characters. There is absolutely nothing to like about these characters. Even the "bad" guy in a film can exhibit some human emotions that the audience can identify with but the characters in Industry have no redeeming qualities. They're arrogant, rude, self centered, morally depraved people.

The most annoying character is Harper. There's nothing sympathetic about her. She is so ill mannered, manipulative, expresses poor judgement, and a pathological liar. She always looks like a deer in the headlights. She's a deeply sad and depressing character. Yet I'm still watching and holding out hope that someone in the show will emerge as decent person or at least redeemable.

I Like It

[jericha-27402 · 8/10 · 15 November 2020]

I know nothing about the world of finance, but I find this show interesting. Harper, the main character, has some integrity issues, but that's what makes the show interesting. I think it would've been super boring if the lead was a black woman who went to Harvard or something. As a recent, black college grad (one year ago), I can relate to the feelings of inadequacy. And don't get me wrong, I think Lena Dunham is vile. However, this show isn't bad. The lead actress doesn't express a lot of emotions because of the character's circumstances. Again, this isn't something the viewers will understand if they're not a minority trying to prove themselves. Was the first episode over the top towards the end? Yes. But I'm interested in seeing how Harper's desire to win at all costs will catch up with her. As someone who is very liberal, I don't really see anything "preachy" about this show thus far. Sure there's an instance of racism and elitism, but it's not refuted at all. In fact, Harper is just suppose to deal with it and the character who is being racist isn't called out. This show is rooted in realism. The writers aren't concerned with telling you "this is inappropriate". It shows you and expects you to understand. In other words, this is not a CW show lol. If the time period is set to now, this is one of the first shows I've seen about Generation Z college grads.

TW: One of the characters is sexually assaulted (groped) by a woman in the first episode. The scene is very brief, but upsetting.

A slow burner

[heavensshadow-49984 · 7/10 · 31 March 2021]

Started slow but got better and better and better. Compulsively horrible characters, but always empathetic. Genuinely surprising ending.

Check it out!

[zac_o_ · 16 January 2021]

Good stuff! I walked into this show blindly, without a teaser or any background. I enjoyed how revealing the latter episodes were. Music was good . Check it out!

Great Show, Definitely Worth the Watch

[owen76664 · 10/10 · 12 January 2021]

I usually don't watch shows like this, but I was surprised how good Industry is. Very captivating from the first episode and each one leaves me wanting more. Can't wait for season 2.

Best finance focused TV fiction as of today

[Ladiloque · 7/10 · 7 January 2021]

Industry can't escape being compared to Billions which - with all its shortcomings - is probably considered the best finance tv-series around. Yet Industry is my new favourite (and a close second for all those lured by the crazy plot-twists of Billions): indeed a more realistic and better written one in a lot of departments.

I don't have the time nor the background to feel like dissecting the storylines, the cliffhangers, the characters, the overall writing style, the acting. Let's simplify by saying that overall Billions is better produced and hits harder with a lot of climaxes, surprises and... billions. Industry on the other end is more consistent, less pretentious and more realistically focused on the daily experiences of new-hires in a wealth management firm. Unfortunately some plot holes, puzzling characters and overindulgent coverage of sex-drug related behaviours drag the production down quite a bit.

It is good and has the potential to be great.

[c-sharp-18990 · 8/10 · 2 October 2021]

This show is not only watchable, it has the potential to be addictive. It revolves around basic human desires, values and complexities. The plot is good and expanding. The script is well-written, as expected from HBO. Whether it will evolve to be a great show remains to be seen. To those who were disappointed by the first impression they got from the show, remember that until season 4 of The Wire it was widely considered a flop. Look what evolved to be today. Give it a shot and be patient.

Watchable because of script; even for Billions or Suits viewers

[shanx24 · 7/10 · 10 November 2020]

In this kind of context, it's hard to top Billions. The stories and characters developed so well especially in the first two seasons. Suits was a bit of Americanism overload with incredible smart-alecy rubbish, but watchable. This one is somewhere in between. I'd ignore the naysayers based on one episode. It's a decent start. Yes, it's interns and their travails, which young millennials seem to lament. The script is fun and there's a modicum of truth in it. I'd watch this show. It's a solid 7 out of 10, nothing more, nothing less.

Depressing for some reason.

[mdebotton · 5/10 · 30 November 2020]

There are a lot of reviews here that carry little to no weight because they were written 1 or 2 episodes in. How can you review something that early? So I'll start by saying I finished the series.

I can't quite put my finger on why but I found it a little depressing. Maybe because so many of the characters seem miserable or lonely.

I'm not a fan of the main character Harper. She's bitter and that's just not enjoyable to watch for 50+ minutes. She isn't a likable person and she's an emotional mess. She's really, really smart and I LOVE to watch that side of her in action but there wasn't enough of it and it was overshadowed by her emotional instability and insecurity.

Glad they brought Eric's character back. He's great. Disappointed his female replacement was let go though. I really liked her character as well. But bravo to how they handled it. It was a little sneaky and I quite enjoyed her being so caught off guard.

As for the drugs, sex and partying it may bother some but I think it's on the mark. Maybe had something to do with why I found it depressing?? I don't know. Like I said, I really can't put my finger on it exactly.

fantastic for what it is

[ericaalovesit · 9/10 · 2 January 2021]

There is absolutely no single character in this story who is a good person entirely, and that's the beauty of it. The point of this show is not to redeem characters but to show humans as they are. Judging by some of the other reviews on here, some did not go into this show with the right mindset. It was a great watch with complex characters.

Snap judgements not to be trusted

[mmmarks · 8/10 · 11 November 2020]

Those who are so quick to give this series abysmal ratings based on one episode: what makes them so able to judge?

The pilot was certainly not up to the level of the other current HBO series, THE UNDOING. But it had grit and plenty of energy. Obviously we don't really know what all the character arcs will be yet, but there are diverse characters and many of the actors have interesting subtleties. I can't begin to follow the financial shenanigans, but so what? The show brings us back to the "Greed is good" ethos, and gives us a sense of a world well beyond our control or ken. I'm interested to see how it plays out.

Could be a contender

[safenoe · 6/10 · 19 August 2022]

I've seen all of season one, and the first episode of season 2. I kind of expected more of the action to be in Pierpoint rather than beneath the sheets, and I kind of think Industry has become a sordid This Life with no change to spare.

Anyway, Ken Leung is outstanding as Eric Tao. Sagar Radia is a welcome member of the cast, although hopefully he can make a guest return appearance in Good Karma Hospital.

Straight vibes

[benjsilver · 9/10 · 3 December 2020]

From the music to the nighttime shots of the london skyline to the cold corporate office interior filled with laddish banter, this show creates a strong impression.

Most of the characters are deeply flawed... in a good way. Their motivations and backgrounds clash spectacularly, they all compete to be selected for promotion in the company, not only on the trading floor, but at social events.

The main appeal is the mind games the characters play with eachother and themselves. 'Are they really trying to help me or am I just being manipulated?' (everyone thought at some point).

Review from a banker perspective

[imthetree · 6/10 · 28 December 2020]

The banking part of the show is interesting. They show us trading floors, client meetings and business trips. They also use a good financial vocabulary (Vix, pips, EUR/USD synonymous) which is great.

The dark sides of the show are obviously the sex scenes and drugs, which are insanely over exaggerated. I work in banking and I've also got friends working in the City for big banks. This is not the truth. This is a Wolf of Wall Street kinda vibes and utterly false.

I'll give it a 6, just because the banking part is good. Of course, HBO and the BBC had to keep it interesting for the "non-banking people", otherwise people would have stopped watching the show.

Also, I love the theme song (Nathan Micay - Blue Springs).

Extremely entertaining... perhaps I'm just vapid?

[fshardlow · 9/10 · 20 December 2020]

There are so many negative reviews on this show, I am slightly confused by them. This is a dramatisation... it's a piece of fiction. I've never worked in finance/banking, but I doubt it is as extreme 24/7 as Industry seems to suggest, however I'm sure there are reflections of reality within the show.

Exaggeration aside, I have found each episode of Industry to be thoroughly entertaining. Several of the characters stories are genuinely quite engaging, especially Jasmine and Rob. I really enjoy the electronic soundtrack and the cinematography is good, not wonderful... but good. I think the show focus' on story and its characters, over how it looks. The plot is obviously slightly absurd, yet I find myself glued to the screen every episode- clearly it's doing something right.

A solid 7 out of 10 so far

[oserrano-1 · 7/10 · 24 January 2021]

Well played, interested to see how it evolves. Some of the characters might nees more depth but is a coral ensemble.

Mystery as to why this isn't rated higher

[hjc-22 · 10/10 · 20 June 2023]

Quite possibly my favourite show ever made. Hyper realistic, with an absolutely incredible soundtrack. There's so much tension. The characters are highly ambitious, often cold, but unlike Succession, some are good. If you don't work in finance, most of the technical jargon won't make any sense, however you really don't need to follow every single word. It all falls into place.

The acting is exceptional, and the characters have very defined and unique personalities. The pacing of the show is mixed, sometimes very little can happen, and then suddenly everything happens.

I can't recommend it enough.

Intriguing 1st episode to UK investment bankers drama/soap opera

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 10 November 2020]

"Industry" (2020 UK release; 6 episodes of about 50-55 min. each) brings the story of Harper Stern. As Episode 1 opens, Harper, an African-American young lady, is interviewing for a temporary position at Pierpoint & Co., a prestigious London investment bank. "I've never seen anyone put their IQ on their resume", remarks the snobby interviewer. Harper gets the position, and she and others start their 6 months' countdown towards RIF (Reduction In Force) Day. From the get-go, things are in cut-throat mode at the office. "Act like an owner and make yourself indispensable!" advises a more senior person. Is Harper up for it? At this point we are less than 15 min. into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this TV mini-series is the brainchild of Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, but more importantly, Episode 1 is directed by none other than Lena Dunham ("Girls"). The opening episode focuses on the intense competition among newcomers to survive in the investment banking world. Why or how Harper Stern ends up at a London investment bank is a question mark (perhaps to be enlightened in a later episode). We watch how these young people (most of the newly hired look to be in their mid-20s) are willing to work day and night (literally) and sacrifice their bodies and their minds to rise to the top, or at least to survive RIF Day. The series production team does a great job in conveying the personal cost of doing so. This TV series is plot-heavy and in fact reminded me of a good ol' soap opera a la Dallas or Dynasty, transposed into 21st century's London. Noticeable is the electronic score, which plays virtually non-stop and is courtesy of Nathan Micay, whom I have not heard of before. Bottom line: I really enjoyed the opening episode, and can't wait to see how all this is going to play out.

"Industry" premiered on HBO earlier this week, and Episode 1 is now available on HBO On Demand and other streaming services. New episodes air on Mondays at 10 pm Eastern. If you are in the mood for a good office drama, if not soap opera, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

*UPDATE 11/17/20* I've now seen Episode 2, which frankly isn't nearly as good as Episode 1. The story lines focus even more on who is hooking up with whom. And of course the correlating partying and drug use. I mean, literally just about everyone at Pierpoint is doing coke like it's the most normal thing in the world. Speaking of partying and going out to dinner with co-workers, it all feels very... dated (as in: hello, a little thing called COVID-19 changed the world now already a good 8 1/2 months ago). I hope Episode 3 can rebound...

Absolutely zero payoff

[Xavier_Stone · 3/10 · 29 November 2020]

I struggled through the first episode and thought that it might get a bit better once I overlooked the constant dance music background. I was hoping for a UK Billions or something similar but mostly what I got was soft porn in every episode with a sprinkling of business talk, and lots of drugs and partying and minor drama filling up for the remaining 40 minutes a show.

The characters never seem to do any actual work for more than a few minutes and then there's a speech or a drug scene. For the most part I continued to watch in order to see how it ended. This is a perfect show for millennials as there are zero consequences for a character's mistakes and the grads acts as elites without having paid their dues in a new sector.

The second half of the season things get murky and the sexually is a constant undertone to every scene. This is not intelligent writing. It's scatterbrained and the scenes don't flow together well at all. A lot of times a scene ends and the audience is wondering what just happened. The final episode was a complete let down and was just a mish mash of scenes thrown together such an order to tell 10 characters stories in the remaining 15 minutes.

I did like some of the cinematic scenes and camera work and at times the music did add to the show, which adds to 3 stars. With better dialogue and scene and plot development this could have been really good. After watching I felt like I was mislead or lied to and if I paid for this show I would have asked for a refund due to the product not being as advertised.

Excellent drama

[a_matsson · 9/10 · 29 December 2020]

I love how it captures the dynamics amongst the graduates om the programme and the vibe in the work place. The sexism is well captured and the dilemmas that the women have to deal with. I thought the acting was good and will give it an extra mark for the believable sex scenes where the women are in charge.