Adult Material

The show starts out as a raunchy-esque comedy but quickly evolves into something wonderful and inspiring. Great acting and writing.

I came across (pun intended) this series as another entry on the Guardian's top TV of 2020 list. It's a mini-series, of just four parts, with incredible performances, if perhaps one that suffers a little from too much going on.

Seasoned adult film star Jolene Dollar (Hayley Squires) meets new girl Amy (Siena Kelly) on her first day on a shoot. Against her nagging concerns, Jolene leaves the set once she has finished her scenes, after which something happens with Amy that has a profound affect on her mental state. Her guilt, and the reaction that Amy has at an industry party, lead Jolene on a crusade against producer Carroll Quinn (Rupert Everett). Ostracised from working, and with her life falling apart, dark moments from her past continue to destroy her present.

IMDB classifies "Adult Material" as a comedy drama - which is fair, because there are funny moments in it. That doesn't, though, come close to explaining the depths of grim stories and behaviour that make up the cultures of abuse, in one form or another, that the show goes into. There is very little in the way of titillation, the opening scenes establish that shooting the films are much like any other job, chatting about your weekend plans, waiting around. From there issues of rape, both in and out of relationships, alcoholism, drug abuse, revenge porn and prostitution are explored. I wonder if perhaps it hits a little too many of them a little too shallowly for it's own good sometimes. I also think that the character of Amy has a little too much going on, or it doesn't perhaps explain her well enough. I'm still not sure know if she's calculating, damaged or genuinely psychopathic. (Perhaps she's just all three).

You cannot argue with the performances though. The quality of Rupert Everett, Phil Daniels and Kerry Godliman have been on show for years, in everything they've done. Alex Jarrett is great, as Jolene's oldest daughter, who has a lot to go through herself. But Hayley Squires is revelatory. (Another reason, if there wasn't enough already, for anticipating Ben Wheatley's new horror film "In The Earth").

I've watched a few documentaries over the years on the porn industry. And I am always amazed at the number of young girls desperate to be porn stars. They seem to think it's very glamorous and an easy quick way to make money. In reality whilst it may start out that way, many end up on drink or drug's and after 10 years in the business nobody wants you. And that is in a nutshell what Adult Material is about. This show goes to great lengths to show how the men in the business do treat women like pieces of meat for their own sexual gratification. The performances are solid throughout in particular Haley and Rupert Everet. Well worth a watch 7/10

Lead actress....what a performance. Director....original. Edited...like it's 2023. Why is this not understood, celebrated. " I may destroy you" bold, brave...this....well the other side of the mirror. Bravo to all involved.

Longtime porn star "Hailey" surprises viewers with this raw account of how the adult film industry turns lives upside down. When Hailey, also known as "Jo Jo", experiences a violation of a new performer's consent on-set, she takes it upon herself to guide the mentor the new performer -- only to find that she doesn't know this deceptive, new, young performer at all. In this ultimately harrowing account of her personal life, Hailey must choose between her online persona "Jo Jo" and the privacy of her own family.

Viewers will find the provocative, raw, and emotional dialogue intriguing, questioning what sexual connections mean today in a world dominated by social media, plastic, and beauty filters. Those with experience or knowledge of what happens on pornographic sets may find the script relatable and especially poignant through the juxtaposed dialogue off-set during shoots within the first episode.

Altogether, the raw, provocative, and poignant account of Hailey "Jo Jo"'s descent from stardom to numbness showcases our growing need for validation and companionship above intimacy and sexual connection. Adult Material asks the tough questions of what it means today to live as an openly sexual being, consent, ageism, and most importantly, what connection even means in today's digital age.