Upamanyu Biswas
The sixth episode of ‘The Studio,‘ titled ‘The Pediatric Oncologist,’ follows Matt on a journey to validate the importance of his work as a studio head as he starts dating a doctor named Sarah. While the episode is rife with several comedic moments, especially with Matt trying to justify his position to those who save lives daily, it also brings up two movies that play an important role throughout the narrative. The first is ‘MK Ultra 4,’ a film set in the ‘MK Ultra’ franchise financed by Continental Studios. While it appears briefly, it sparks an argument between Matt and his new girlfriend about the value of artistic merit in blockbuster films. Meanwhile, his team of producers is busy working on releasing the trailer for a new zombie flick titled ‘Duhpocalyse,’ which also plays a prominent part.
MK Ultra is Likely Inspired By a True Story
Like a lot of things in ‘The Studio,’ there is always a tinge of reality mixed into the dramatic narrative to add authenticity to the situations described in the series. This is likely the case with ‘MK Ultra,’ the sci-fi film series backed by Matt and his studio. While the film may seem fictional on the surface, it is likely rooted in Project MKUltra, a human experimentation program run by the CIA to understand the value of certain drugs in interrogation environments. It is the basis of the real-life movie ‘MK Ultra,’ which shares its title with the film from episode six of ‘The Studio.’ However, these two films are different because the one portrayed in the show is centered around sci-fi ideas, with the main character having the ability to fight enemies using superpowers. Meanwhile, the real world ‘MK Ultra’ is a psychological thriller film.
It is likely that the ‘MK Ultra’ from the show takes some cues from both the real-life movie and the true story that inspired it. In the show’s world, the semi-fictional movie has a huge following because of its fantasy elements, allowing the audience to enjoy an enthralling story brimming with action and satisfying scenes of violence. It shows how ‘The Studio’ constantly blends drama and truth together to craft a unique environment that is full of references to real-world Hollywood projects. As a result, the line between the two worlds remains thin, inviting doubt from the audience. Amusingly, Matt is incredibly proud of the whole series of ‘MK Ultra movies,’ particularly because he “championed” the idea in the first place. As such, it holds a special place in his heart, pushing him to defend its merits in a few scenes.
Duhpocalypse: A Fictional Movie Satirizing Zombie Films
The second movie project discussed in episode 6 is a zombie movie named ‘Duhpocalypse.’ The film features Johnny Knoxville and Josh Hutcherson in a small-town suburb gearing themselves for a full-blow zombie infection. However, there is a small twist in the narrative – the zombies are actually suffering from gastrointestinal problems. As such, they infect humans through a completely unexpected means of virus delivery – explosive diarrhea. In a small trailer scene, we witness Josh Hutcherson’s character being sprayed with fecal material, which infects him with the zombie virus, prompting Knoxville’s character to attack him. Although it is a fictional zombie movie brought to life by the creative team, its subversive angle is reminiscent of films like ‘Shaun of the Dead.’ However, these connections are superficial beyond the tone of the project.
The trailer for ‘Duhpocalypse’ was played during the Super Bowl, creating the illusion that it is a real movie in the works. As a result, many were enthused by the prospect of seeing the fake film brought to life. It showcases the tightrope walked by ‘The Studio’ and how it cleverly navigates the world of Hollywood businesses through a sharp satirical angle. The show constantly throws up projects that sound like real-life movies. It helps the writers delve deeper into Hollywood-specific storylines and the peculiar situations that emerge when the artistic minds of creators collide with the business principles of studio executives. It also exemplifies the chaos of the movie industry and the difficulties involved in getting a project into development, especially with the different departments involved.
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