The story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos is packed with so many twists and turns, so much intrigue, that it’s almost surprising that it took this long for any sort of dramatic adaptation of that story. Of course, there was an HBO documentary,The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley, as well as the bookBad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup. There was also the ABC-produced podcastThe Dropout, which became the titular source for Hulu’s latest series based on the nearly-unbelievable true story of a supposed tech entrepreneur whose entire business was built on the illusion of success.
The Dropoutbegins its story in earnest, opening with recreations of Elizabeth Holmes both offering a tour of Theranos headquarters and providing a deposition in her fraud case. Immediately it’s clear what the major draw is for this show: Amanda Seyfried’s performance. While the first three episodes can almost feel slightly perfunctory, moving quickly from one life event serving as plot point to another, it’s Seyfried’s grounded take on Holmes that makes it all work.
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With a character as big as Holmes, it might have been easy for this central performance to come off as nothing more than an impression. That might have even been the case if the show had been made with itsoriginal star, Kate McKinnon.However, while Seyfried is still able to portray the sort of exaggerated-but-true aspects of Holmes, she is also able to imbue her with some real depth.
That depth also benefits from some solid writing. In the first episode, the Holmes family is already dealing with the fallout from massive corporate fraud before Elizabeth even leaves for Stanford. Her father has just lost everything following the infamous Enron scandal. Seeing her father broken down in this way, having to ask for money from family friend Richard Fuisz (who later becomes a corporate enemy for Elizabeth), seems to motivate her even more in her goal of becoming a billionaire. The premiere is aptly titled “I’m In A Hurry,” which both references a song by Alabama (played in the episode) as well as Elizabeth’s drive to skip all the steps to becoming a scientist and even a college graduate.
The first episode also sets up one of the most important relationships in the story: that of Elizabeth and Sunny Balwani (Naveen Andrews). The scenes of their early relationship, beginning when they met in China, show just why these two individuals may have been drawn to each other. They are both portrayed as overachievers, people who have been alienated by the rest of the people in the exchange program. Their connection feels real, and it would almost make viewers root for their success if they didn’t already know the more sordid details of this story.
In terms of obstacles, “I’m In A Hurry” makes the interesting choice to show how the biggest hurdle toward Elizabeth’s early success is actually good advice. In one of the best scenes of the episode, Holmes meets with Phyllis Gardner (played with brilliant impatience by Laurie Metcalf) to discuss one of her first product ideas. Gardner shoots the idea down immediately, laying out all the reasons why it could never work, resulting in a confrontation where Gardner contradicts the theme of the premiere, telling Elizabeth in no uncertain terms that science cannot be rushed,and that unlike the Yoda quotethat she loves so much, science is all trying.
While Seyfried is clearly at the center of everything, the rest of the cast does a great job at keeping up with her. Utkarsh Ambudkar brings some levity and energy to the role of Rakesh Madhava, one of the original scientists developing the Theranos technology. Stephen Fry adds his signature dry humor as Ian Gibbons, and James Hiroyuki Liao does an excellent job in showing the toll Holmes took on her staff as electrical engineer Edmond Ku. It is mostly through Ku’s eyes that the audience begins to see the somewhat villainous turn that Holmes takes as her career progresses.
The second and third episodes ofThe Dropoutbegin to introduce those less savory elements, showing just how blinded Elizabeth was by her determination tocreate a billion-dollar company, and the cost it took on those around her. There are some period markers in these episodes that sometimes feel distracting, but never overwhelm the rest of the story. The most obvious of these is the introduction of the very first iPhone, which becomes something of a centerpiece of the third episode, “Green Juice.”
The Dropout’s first three episodes are directed by Michael Showalter, who also helmedThe Big SickandThe Eyes Of Tammy Faye. In front of the camera, Showalter may be best known for his work with comedy groups the State and Stella, as well as his starring turn in all three iterations ofWet Hot American Summer. As a director, Showalter has a knack for imbuing even dramatic scenes witha sense of snappy comedic timing, which mostly works in favor ofThe Dropout’s initial episodes. The stylistic choices also might make one wonder how this version of the story will compare to the forthcoming Elizabeth Holmes project from Adam McKay (that one will star Jennifer Lawrence as Holmes).
There is plenty of promise in these premiere episodes. While the fleet nature of the story might make it feel like some details are being glossed over, there is still plenty to like aboutThe Dropout. The show, much like the actual story of Theranos, seems to be hiding a darker, more sinister element under its bright, Silicon Valley sheen. Amanda Seyfried’s performance may be the main draw, but the supporting performances, thematic elements, and style are enough to makeThe Dropouta compelling watch, even for those who already know how the story ends.
The first three episodes ofThe Dropoutbegin streaming on Hulu and Disney Plus on March 3, with new episodes dropping every Thursday.
