Workplace satire is one of the biggest trends in media right now. Everyone hates their jobs, and art imitates life. Every genre, from goofy comedy to psychological horror, has its version of office life gone wrong. One of last year’s least-discussed entries on the well-worn topic was Amazon Prime Video’sThe Consultant, which packed in so many twists and turns that many were left more confused than engaged.
The Consultantis an adaptation of Bentley Little’s book of the same name. Little isa fascinating horror author, beloved by many but oddly stuck on a familiar format. Most of his novels follow the same basic structure. They begin in mundane circumstances, introduce an otherworldly force in a seemingly non-threatening package, and watch as everything falls apart.The Consultantis no exception, but Tony Basgallop’s adaptation changes some things.
How doesThe Consultantend?
The final episode ofThe Consultant, “Hammer,” starts at what should feel like a climax. Craig Horne leaves his house for a run, where he stumbleson an elephant rampagingthrough downtown Los Angeles. Elaine paid off her questionable ex-boyfriend, Patrice, to release the animal from the zoo. The titular consultant, Regus Patoff, insists Elaine follow through on her idea to promote Mr. Sang’s Jungle Adventure. Cops kill the elephant with tranquilizers, but Patrice still shows up at CompWare to request payment. Regus throws a party at the office to celebratethe game’s launch. Craig and Elaine discuss the bizarre circumstances they find themselves in and decide to hunt down Craig’s missing girlfriend, Patti. They track her phone, only to find Mrs. Sang playing Jungle Adventure. They return to the office. Craig arms himself with a massive sledgehammer to face Patoff while Elaine looks for Patti.
Craig demands answers, but Patoff consistently dodges questions. He passes off Frank Florez’s gold skeleton story as imagination and denigrates Craig as an acceptable loss. Elaine finds Patti in the records room, where she’s diligently typing files for Patoff. She seemsto be brainwashed, but Elaine frees her, and they run to see Craig. Craig threatens Patoff, cracking the glass floor underneath them with heavy strikes. Finally, his attacks weaken a panel enough to send Patoff tumbling through the floor and into a pair of party tables. Craig finds Patoff’s big toe sliced off by the shattering glass. He, Elaine, and Patti leave as Patoff slips away, injured but alive. Patti dumps Craig and moves out. Elaine finds her name on the CEO’s office door. Craig carefully removes skin and muscle from Patoff’s toe, discovering the gold bone beneath. Patoff leaves CompWare to start a new job at a robotics lab. A TV explains that Patoff’s new company’s CEO died unexpectedly while the boy who shot Sang finallybeats Jungle Adventure.
Tony Basgallop
Directors
Matt Shakman, Dan Attias, Charlotte Brändström, Alexis Ostrander & Karyn Kusama
Streaming On
Amazon Prime Video
The Consultantfollows the employees at amessy mobile gaming companywhile a bizarre new professional slowly takes over. After CompWare’s CEO, Mr. Sang, dies at the hands of a gun-wielding child, Regus Patoff arrives to save the company. Craig Horne and Elaine Hayman investigate Patoff as he gradually takes more power through a bizarre combination of force and silence. As Craig learns more about his sinister intentions, Elaine climbs his new corporate ladder. Both will have to choose between their careers and their increasing suspicions that more than their jobs might be on the line.
What isThe Consultant’s Rotten Tomatoes score?
The Consultanthas a 79% positive rating from 43 critics. Its audience score is less impressive, boasting a 56% positive rating from over 250 amateur reviewers. Most critics heavily praised Christoph Waltz’s performance in the title role while celebrating the atmosphere, satire,and genre-bending tone. The show’s pacing suffered the most negative attention. Many critics took time to point out the series' 30-35 minute runtime and relatively brief season, keeping the story contained in just over four hours. Better pacing would likely have placed this show in the upper echelon of Amazon offerings, but it did well enough as is.
The Consultanthas problems, but it’s strange enough to be compelling despite its faults. Amazon hasn’t published any viewership numbers for the show, meaning it’s hard to calculate how successful it may have been. If the series earns a second season, there could still be more to explore. In the fragileera of streaming entertainment, the series is just as likely to disappear after its first outing. IfThe Consultantends on its strange reveal, the story may not feel complete, but its openness is somehow even more unpleasant.
