Jesse Armstrong loves to pull fictional stories out of reality. His universally acclaimed TV show Succession, for instance, was inspired by real-life media dynasties like the Murdochs and the Hearsts.

Major spoilers for Mountainhead are ahead! If you have not watched the movie yet, you can stream it with an HBO Max subscription.

HBO's "Mountainhead," from "Succession" creator Jesse Armstrong, looks at those who “have incredible authority and power over all of our lives.”

"Succession" creator Jesse Armstrong makes his feature directorial debut with "Mountainhead", a hilarious hang-out with four detestable, uber-rich friends.

The creator of “Succession” skewers tech billionaires in a dark comedy that is intelligent but feels a bit artificial.

Set almost entirely in a palatial lodge nestled high up in the Utah mountains, Mountainhead revolves around a quartet of absurdly wealthy frenemies who come together for a weekend of rest, relaxation,

Note: This story contains spoilers from "Mountainhead." If "Mountainhead" made you feel disturbed and horrified, that's kind of the point. "It does and should feel a little scary. It's a prescient film,

In person, Smith, 38, was not quite so nihilistic, though he had dressed the part, a man in black on black on black — pants, coat, shirt, tie, shoes. Offscreen, Smith is abidingly polite, with a wide smile that narrows his eyes to slits.