The Oscar winner stars as a paranoid autocrat in HBO’s bleak and superficial new limited series.
Miya Mizuno/HBO
Seven years into her reign, Chancellor Elena Vernham is a paranoid recluse.
Like his new boss, Corporal Zubak is not well.
Matthias Schoenaerts and Kate Winslet in ‘The Regime’.Miya Mizuno/HBO
But in their first meeting, Elena thanks him for his service.
Its not nice what theyre calling you, she sniffs.
Theres a good man in there who deserves love.
Miya Mizuno/HBO
Herbert grew up in poverty and exhibited violent outbursts including toward his mother from a young age.
The Regimealso isnt successful as satire, though its a competent depiction of the many ways dictatorships are bad.
The failures ofThe Regimeare largely on the page.
Keplinger, describing Herberts loyalty to Elena, scoffs, Broken people really love broken people, dont they?
In politics, maybe.
With TV, that’s debatable.Grade: C-
The Regimepremieres Sunday, March 3 on HBO.
