Industry

Industry is a brilliant, razor-sharp exploration of the intoxicating world of high finance, capturing both its magnetic allure and its devastating toxicity. The series masterfully portrays the passion and ambition that drive young professionals, while never shying away from exposing the darker undercurrents of greed, manipulation, and the relentless hunger for power.

What makes Industry so compelling is its versatility-the way it seamlessly shifts between the thrill of financial conquests and the emotional wreckage left in their wake. Relationships are as volatile as the markets, and the show does an extraordinary job of depicting how personal ambitions often clash with loyalty, love, and self-preservation.

The performances are electric, and the writing cuts deep, creating characters that are flawed, ambitious, and hauntingly real. The energy is palpable, the pacing is relentless, and the atmosphere immerses you into a world where every decision can mean triumph or ruin. Industry is not just a show about money; it's about human vulnerability laid bare against the brutal backdrop of power games. An absolute must-watch.

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'm currently watching Industry with my brother as I write this review and the first thing that comes to mind when watching this show is...addicting. HBO is known for having great shows and Industry is no different. It really is a good show that feels fresh and thrilling. It shows the cutthroat world that is banking. It's a fascinating look inside their world of greed, sex, drugs, back stabbing and every other bad thing these people do to each other. You don't have to know much about this world to enjoy the show, I think most people watching don't and that's a testament to how good the writing is. You really do get pulled into that world and can't wait to see what happens next. I'm fully invested in this show and I think you will be to if you give it a chance.

Great acting by great actors I must say. I have worked in Corporate (a bit less intense than trading though) and I recognize plenty of situations. The script is really good. The only thing that does bother me, and it is mostly in season one is the graphics of the intimate scenes... as audience we do get what is going on, we do not need to see every single detail. If this would have been solved in a more classy way , I would have given a 9/10. Note: plenty of language errors in the Dutch subtitles but ok.

This is a really good show, but it took time to find its footing. You have to get through the first season and then it gets better and better for the second and third. I honestly wasn't motivated to watch some episodes early on, but I knew there were seeds of a great show. Writing is excellent in the third season and acting is fantastic throughout. Ken Leung for the win.

That said, you have to like antiheroes and shows about horrible people doing bad things as a commentary on social structures, ego, and past trauma. The show asks what you would do for power, ambition, and money. It's also a classic HBO show with slightly excessive sex and drugs. But it fits into the character, narratives and traumas.