#OnTheTube - The consultant

The Consultant is a 2023 psychological thriller TV series that blends dark comedy, corporate satire, and horror elements against the backdrop of a high-strung tech company, CompWare. Created by Tony Basgallop and based on Bentley Little’s 2016 novel, the show is driven by Christoph Waltz’s chilling and magnetic performance as Regus Patoff, a mysterious and sinister consultant who assumes control after the company’s CEO dies under disturbing circumstances.

Waltz’s portrayal of Regus Patoff stands out as the series’ greatest strength. His character exudes menace and inscrutability with intense body language and nuanced facial expressions, crafting a villain who is eerie and enigmatic rather than straightforwardly terrifying. This performance anchors the show’s unsettling atmosphere and keeps viewers hooked, despite various narrative flaws. Supporting leads Brittany O’Grady (Elaine) and Nat Wolff (Craig) provide relatable, emotionally charged roles whose arcs explore the brutal cost of Regus’s manipulative influence—Elaine’s uneasy mentor-like relationship with Regus and Craig’s personal and professional undoing form key human storylines.

Thematically, The Consultant offers a dark satire on toxic corporate culture and moral ambiguity, spotlighting themes like ruthless productivity obsession, workplace fear, and unethical power dynamics. It exaggerates workplace horrors—harsh firings, invasive supervision, and ruthless executive orders—to grotesque extremes that evoke discomfort and reflection among anyone familiar with toxic work environments. The series tries to balance this critique with pulpy thriller elements, including mysterious origins, violence, and supernatural hints, aiming for a tone that is alternatingly suspenseful, darkly comic, and sometimes surreal.

However, reviewers note significant weaknesses: the plot is at times convoluted, logically inconsistent, and thinly developed, with moments where the story’s internal logic strains credibility. The mysterious backstory of Regus is deliberately opaque but ultimately dissatisfying, leaving many questions unresolved. A tonal unevenness emerges from switching between sharp satire, horror, and thriller without fully integrating these modes, which can disrupt narrative tension and emotional investment.

The supporting cast and secondary characters are criticized for lack of depth and development, diminishing their impact against Waltz’s dominating presence. The season finale reportedly provides an underwhelming conclusion, which left some viewers disappointed after the buildup.

Stylistically, the show boasts high production values, with sleek visual design and an effective soundtrack that underline its mood and themes. Direction by several notable TV directors, including Matt Shakman and Karyn Kusama, enhances key episodes to memorable effect, especially the intense pilot and finale that bookend the season with strong suspense and unsettling moments.

In summary, The Consultant is a provocative and weirdly captivating series notable for Christoph Waltz’s commanding performance and its sharp, if exaggerated, critique of corporate toxicity. Its intriguing premise and mood make it a compelling binge, though the payoff is sometimes undermined by a convoluted plot, underdeveloped characters, and tonal inconsistency. Fans of psychological thrillers and dark workplace satire may find much to appreciate despite its unevenness, but it is not a show for those seeking narrative closure or light entertainment.