The Franchise Christian Review

When it comes to The Franchise, there’s a lot to talk about. It’s funny, dark, and a little too real if you know anything about the way blockbuster superhero movies are churned out these days. Armando Iannucci, Jon Brown, and Sam Mendes have created a show that’s sharp and fast-paced, full of clever humor that cuts deep. The cast? Top-notch. The jokes? Relentless. But there’s something underneath all the laughs, something uncomfortable, especially when viewed through a Christian lens.

So, let’s dig in. What does The Franchise really say about the culture of moviemaking today, and what does it leave us thinking about, both as Christians and as people living in a world where entertainment is often mass-produced like any other commodity?

What’s Really Going On Behind the Scenes?

The Franchise is a satire, and it doesn’t hold back when it comes to poking fun at Hollywood’s obsession with superhero films. We all know how big those Marvel and DC universes have become. Superheroes dominate the box office, and it’s easy to forget that behind every cape and explosion, there are actual people—writers, directors, actors—working long hours to bring these stories to life.

But here’s the thing The Franchise seems to be saying: those people don’t matter. At least, not as much as the end product. It’s the finished movie, the shiny, CGI-filled blockbuster, that the studio cares about. The people making it? They’re just cogs in the machine.

That’s a pretty bleak message, but it’s one that resonates. Even if you’ve never been on a movie set, you can relate. In many ways, this show reflects the broader culture we live in, where often the work is valued more than the worker, where success is measured by how much you produce rather than who you are. From a Christian perspective, this is troubling. We believe every person has inherent worth, created in the image of God, and shouldn’t be reduced to their output. But that’s exactly what’s happening here.

The Humor of It All—Laughing at the Absurd

Let’s not forget, though, that The Franchise is also a comedy. And it’s funny. Really funny. There’s something almost liberating in watching a show that just lets loose, pointing out how ridiculous the whole superhero moviemaking process can be. It’s packed with quick wit and dark humor, often highlighting how absurd the entire system is. You’ve got directors losing their minds, actors trying to hold it together, and producers more concerned about marketing than making art. It’s chaos, and it’s hilarious.

But the humor is also a little unsettling. Why? Because it’s not that far from the truth. We laugh, sure, but there’s a sense of recognition there. It’s funny because it’s real, and that reality is a bit sad. The show might be exaggerated, but it’s not that much of a stretch to believe that the people behind these movies are struggling, stressed, and undervalued. It’s a reminder of how broken the system is, and while it’s fun to watch it all fall apart in The Franchise, the underlying message is clear: this is what happens when profit comes before people.

Cynicism vs. Hope

One of the biggest things The Franchise gets right is its tone. It’s sharp, caustic, and cynical. But here’s where the Christian in me pauses. Cynicism can be a powerful tool in satire, but it’s also a double-edged sword. It reveals the cracks in the system, yes, but does it offer anything beyond that? In The Franchise, the answer feels like a no. The show is content to point out the flaws in Hollywood’s superhero machine without offering any real solutions.

This is where the Christian perspective diverges from the show’s message. As believers, we’re called to more than just pointing out what’s wrong with the world. We’re called to seek redemption, to find hope even in brokenness. But The Franchise doesn’t really go there. It’s all critique, no cure. And that leaves you feeling a little empty after the laughs fade. Sure, it’s entertaining, but what’s the takeaway? That Hollywood is messed up? That’s something we already knew. What would have been more powerful is if the show had also hinted at what could be done to change things.

Characters Lost in the Shuffle

One of the weaker points of The Franchise is its character development, or lack thereof. The actors are talented, no doubt, and they bring a lot of energy to their roles. But the characters themselves often feel underdeveloped, as if they’re being sacrificed to keep the jokes coming. This is ironic, considering the show’s whole point is that the people behind the movies get lost in the process.

In a way, maybe that’s intentional. Maybe the creators of The Franchise are trying to make a statement about how the individuals in these big productions often get overshadowed by the massive spectacle of it all. But even if that’s the case, it leaves something to be desired. As Christians, we’re drawn to stories about people—real, complex, flawed individuals who are more than just their roles. We want to see growth, struggle, redemption. But here, the characters are more like caricatures, moving the plot along without much depth.

It’s funny, sure, but it could be so much more.

The Superhero Machine—What’s the Point?

At the heart of The Franchise is a bigger question: What are these superhero movies really about? And why do we care so much? The show seems to argue that the movies themselves are more important than the people making them, and maybe even more important than the people watching them. It’s all about the next big hit, the next billion-dollar franchise. But as Christians, this raises an interesting point: what does this say about our culture’s obsession with entertainment?

Superheroes, in many ways, are modern-day idols. We look to them for escapism, for hope, for something larger-than-life. But when the system that creates them is so broken, what does that say about the messages we’re consuming? The Franchise doesn’t answer that question, but it certainly raises it. And it’s worth thinking about, especially from a Christian point of view. Are we investing too much in these stories? Are we looking for meaning in places that can’t offer it?

Final Thoughts: More Laughs, Less Depth

So where does that leave us with The Franchise? It’s undeniably funny, and if you enjoy sharp satire, you’ll probably have a good time watching it. But as a Christian viewer, there’s something missing. The show is great at pointing out what’s wrong, but it doesn’t offer much in the way of hope or redemption. It’s all critique with no resolution, and that leaves you feeling like there could’ve been more—more depth, more heart, more reflection on what really matters.

In the end, I’d give The Franchise a 7 out of 10. It’s entertaining and well-made, but it’s also a little too cynical for its own good. It’s a show about a broken system, but as Christians, we’re called to look for the light even in the darkest places. And in The Franchise, that light feels a little too dim.