Jesse Armstrong has a knack for transforming real-world events into compelling fictional narratives. His critically acclaimed television series Succession draws heavily from the power struggles within actual media empires like the Murdochs and the Hearsts. In a similar vein, his latest film Mountainhead explores themes that mirror the ambitions and flaws of the tech industry’s most influential figures, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman.
Set to premiere on HBO on July 31 at 8 p.m. ET, Mountainhead depicts four high-profile tech executives who retreat to a remote Utah hideaway amid chaos caused by the recent deployment of advanced AI deepfake technology by one of their companies. As these hyper-realistic fake videos ignite social media outrage and incite real-world violence, the group contemplates radical solutions such as global governance, interstellar conquest, and even immortality-only to be derailed by internal conflicts and personal rivalries.
In a recent interview with TIME via Zoom, Armstrong revealed that his fascination with tech moguls was sparked by reading books like Michael Lewis’ Going Limitless, which examines the rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried, and Ashlee Vance’s biography of Elon Musk. He also delved into journalistic profiles of influential figures such as Peter Thiel and Marc Andreessen. Drawing inspiration from these sources, Armstrong crafted characters based on archetypes-namely the father figure, the innovator, the usurper, and the loyal supporter-and conducted extensive research to ensure these personas reflected real-world traits. He emphasizes that his characters are not direct copies but rather “Frankenstein monsters with limbs sewn together,” embodying various aspects of their real-life counterparts.
Armstrong clarifies that his characters are deeply flawed and often morally ambiguous. However, he stresses that his intention was not to portray tech leaders negatively but to explore the anxieties surrounding rapid technological advancement. “I try to step back from personal bias, but my perceptions of what this technology can do-and perhaps my own fears-inevitably influence the story,” he admits.
He further argues that the film reflects concerns that even the industry insiders themselves harbor. “If someone with a deep understanding of the technology believes there’s a one-in-five chance it could wipe out humanity-and they’re among the optimists-that’s genuinely unsettling,” Armstrong states.
This article contains spoilers for Mountainhead. For more insights, see: With Mountainhead, the Creator of Succession Targets a Crew That’s Beyond Satire.
Character Profiles and Their Real-World Counterparts
The Innovator: Venis (Cory Michael Smith)
Macall Polay-HBO
Venis, the film’s embodiment of the tech dynamo, is the wealthiest individual in the story, having amassed his fortune through his social media platform Traam, which boasts over four billion users worldwide. Ambitious, impulsive, and self-absorbed, Venis often questions the integrity of others and views himself as a cut above the rest.
His character draws clear parallels to Elon Musk, the real-world billionaire known for his ventures into space exploration and AI. Like Musk, Venis is fixated on expanding humanity’s reach into outer space and deploying vast data centers to develop powerful, anti-woke AI systems. His complex relationship with his child serves as a symbol of his emotional struggles, often used as a prop to bolster his confidence.
Throughout the narrative, Venis dismisses concerns about his AI tools-particularly deepfake technology-that have caused international conflicts and desecrated sacred sites. He insists that society must adapt to technological progress and focus on creating art, echoing sentiments expressed by figures like Sam Altman, who advocates for rapid deployment of AI innovations to demonstrate their potential to the public.
In terms of social media, Venis presides over a platform accused of prioritizing engagement over harm mitigation. Similar to how Meta faced criticism from Amnesty International for contributing to human rights abuses in Myanmar, Venis dismisses external scrutiny, claiming that the UN is overly intrusive, even likening it to “being up his ass” for initiating a cyber conflict.
The Father Figure: Randall (Steve Carell)
Macall Polay-HBO
Randall, the elder statesman among the group, is an investor and visionary who echoes the philosophies of Marc Andreessen and Peter Thiel. Like Andreessen, Randall champions the rapid development of AI, believing it essential for maintaining U.S. dominance and fostering a new utopia where prosperity and well-being flourish. His unwavering belief in technological progress is rooted in a desire to prevent global powers like China from overtaking the U.S.
Randall’s influence stems from being Venis’ initial investor, akin to Thiel’s early backing of Facebook. His grandiose speeches about technological evolution are infused with sci-fi and anti-democratic rhetoric reminiscent of the ideas promoted by Curtis Yarvin, a controversial thinker funded by Thiel. Randall’s obsession with longevity and immortality echoes Thiel’s long-standing pursuit of radical life extension, driven by a desire to escape death itself.
His philosophical stance, which combines utilitarian and Kantian ethics, echoes the reckless risk-taking of figures like Sam Bankman-Fried, who once claimed he would gamble on destroying humanity if it meant creating a new world. Randall’s worldview is driven by a similar willingness to embrace risk for the promise of monumental rewards.
The Usurper: Jeff (Ramy Youssef)
Macall Polay-HBO
Jeff functions as the moral compass of the story, often criticizing his peers’ reckless pursuits. Despite his critical stance, he remains deeply embedded in their world, seeking access to Venis’ resources and influence. Ultimately, Jeff sacrifices his principles for personal survival and the pursuit of success.
His skepticism about AI mirrors real-world concerns voiced by leaders like Altman, Hassabis, and Amodei. For instance, Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind and a Nobel laureate in Chemistry, has publicly expressed hopes of curing diseases with AI while also warning about its potential dangers. Hassabis’s past commitment to restricting military use of his technology has eroded, as Google’s AI systems are now employed by militaries such as Israel’s.
Similarly, Dario Amodei, who left OpenAI to found Anthropic, has called for strict AI regulations and warned of the catastrophic risks associated with unchecked AI development. Critics argue that Anthropic’s focus on scaling AI models may inadvertently exacerbate competitive pressures, raising questions about the industry’s commitment to safety.
The Loyal Supporter: Souper (Jason Schwartzman)
Macall Polay-HBO
Every group needs a loyal sidekick, and Souper fills this role in Mountainhead. Named for his modest financial means-comparable to a soup kitchen budget-he is fixated on securing funding for a meditation app that he hopes will become an all-encompassing “everything app.”
While he may not match the grandeur of his counterparts, Souper’s character echoes the real-world emphasis on mindfulness among tech leaders. Notably, figures like Twitter’s Jack Dorsey have publicly embraced meditation retreats as a means of maintaining focus and clarity amid the chaos of innovation.
Armstrong refrains from directly confirming the inspirations behind his characters but admits that many are inspired by real individuals. “For those familiar with the industry, it’s a playful reflection-like seeing a familiar face in a crowd,” he explains. “There are elements of Andreessen, Sacks, and other tech visionaries. It’s a fun exercise in assembling your own Frankenstein.”
