Mountainhead Movie: Jesse Armstrong’s First Film Explores the World of Eccentric Billionaires
Jesse Armstrong, the acclaimed creator and writer behind the Emmy Award-winning series Succession, is set to make his directorial debut with Mountainhead, a sharp and biting film that explores the lives of four wealthy billionaires isolated in a mountain villa amid global turmoil.
The film’s premise centers on four of America’s richest billionaires gathering at a secluded villa atop a snowy mountain as the world edges closer to war—an outcome attributed to their unchecked capitalistic excesses. The title Mountainhead is a cheeky nod to Ayn Rand’s 1943 novel The Fountainhead, with a character humorously referring to the villa’s interior designer as “Ayn Bland.”
Mountainhead Cast: Cory Michael Smith and Ramy Youssef
In an exclusive interview with SCREEN, actors Cory Michael Smith and Ramy Youssef, who portray two of the billionaire characters, shared insights on working with Armstrong, the absurdity of extreme wealth, and how modern tech billionaires resemble the eccentric personalities in the film.
Smith recalled a memorable scene where the billionaires climb the snow-covered mountain and scream their net worths while bare-chested. “Do billionaires need to have a bit of crazy in them? Not necessarily, but having that much money protects you from your own behavior and failures,” he said. Youssef added, “They’re allowed to remain children, to do whatever they want.”
Jesse Armstrong’s Unique Approach to Writing the Elite
Both actors praised Armstrong’s unique ability to capture the tone-deafness and entitled nature of the ultra-wealthy. “He knows how people talk, even though he’s nothing like that,” said Youssef. “His writing is clear and sharp from the get-go.” Smith noted Armstrong’s skill in amplifying how power is abused, writing it “in a really disturbing and entertaining way.”
Comparing Mountainhead to White Lotus
Comparisons have been drawn between Mountainhead and the hit series White Lotus, often dubbed a “White Lotus winter retreat.” However, Youssef sees the isolation theme as the key difference. “The mountain’s blizzard confines the characters to confront feelings they’d rather avoid, creating a unique pressure cooker.” Smith joked that unlike White Lotus, Mountainhead is “not very romantic,” much to the disappointment of some viewers.
What to Expect from Jesse Armstrong’s Film Debut
As Armstrong transitions from television to film direction, Mountainhead promises a darkly comedic, incisive look at the modern billionaire class—a story both timely and unsettling in today’s socio-political climate.
Mountainhead is poised to make waves upon release, delivering the sharp wit and dark satire fans have come to expect from Jesse Armstrong.
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