Jesse Armstrong’s Mountainhead: Succession Creator Takes on Tech Bros and AI Chaos

Remember when we thought Logan Roy was the scariest billionaire on our screens? Well, Jesse Armstrong’s latest project might make us think again. The creative genius behind Succession and Peep Show is serving up a fresh plate of billionaire-skewering satire and this time, he’s got Silicon Valley’s finest in his crosshairs.

From Media Moguls to Tech Bros: Armstrong’s New Territory

There’s something properly fascinating about watching Jesse Armstrong work. While most of us are doom-scrolling through Twitter (or X, or whatever Elon’s calling it these days), the 54-year-old writer-director deliberately keeps himself offline. In fact, when I caught his new film Mountainhead at a preview screening, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony: here’s a bloke writing about tech billionaires while steadfastly avoiding their digital playground.

But maybe that’s exactly why Mountainhead hits different. Set in a swanky ski mansion (think Bond villain lair meets Silicon Valley startup), the film throws together a bunch of tech mogul characters who might seem oddly familiar. There’s definitely a dash of Musk here, a sprinkle of Zuckerberg there, and a healthy portion of Sam Altman’s AI anxiety for good measure.

When AI Meets Aprs-Ski

Picture this: while one of our tech bros’ AI creations is causing havoc in the outside world (giving me flashbacks to that time ChatGPT went down and half my writer mates had proper meltdowns), these billionaires are stuck together, squabbling about who’s got the biggest… market cap.

What’s brilliant about Armstrong’s approach is how he manages to make these titans of tech seem simultaneously powerful and pathetic. Having binged Succession multiple times (haven’t we all?), it’s clear he’s got form for finding the human cracks in seemingly untouchable figures.

A Nuanced Take on Tech’s Top Dogs

“I have a lot of sympathy for Elon Musk,” Armstrong tells me, and you can see it in the writing. These aren’t just cartoon villains twirling their virtual mustaches. They’re complex characters wrestling with god complexes and imposter syndrome in equal measure. Sound familiar, tech Twitter?

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Mountainhead

Is Mountainhead based on real tech billionaires?

While the characters draw inspiration from various tech moguls like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman, they’re composite characters rather than direct portrayals. Armstrong’s created a clever mashup of Silicon Valley’s most notorious personalities.

How does Mountainhead compare to Succession?

Think Succession’s sharp wit and family drama, but swap media moguls for tech bros and add a hefty dose of AI apocalypse. It’s still quintessentially Armstrong, but with a distinctly 2025 Silicon Valley flavour.

When can we watch Mountainhead?

The film hits UK cinemas next month, with streaming platforms to follow later in the year. Perfect timing for those wanting a break from actual tech drama.

The Bottom Line

Mountainhead proves that Jesse Armstrong’s still got his finger on the pulse, even without wifi. It’s a properly clever piece of work that’ll have you laughing one minute and questioning the future of humanity the next. Much like trying to decipher Elon’s tweets, really.

Fancy seeing tech’s biggest names get the Armstrong treatment? Drop your predictions for the film’s real-world inspirations in the comments below. Just don’t expect any replies from Jesse himself he’ll be offline, probably writing his next masterpiece.