MYTHIC QUEST Is Beautiful to Watch, But Falls Flat Morally
By Movieguide® Contributor
MYTHIC QUEST is a work place comedy series created by Charlie Day, Megan Ganz and Rob McElhenney for Apple TV+. The show follows a video game studio that produces MYTHIC QUEST, a billion-dollar video game, and all of the shenanigans that comes with the employees.
Ian, played by McElhenney, is the creative director of Mythic Quest. This narcissistic macho man is the center of the story and almost all of the problems of the company. Ian’s self-centered perspective and seemingly purposeful idiocy will often leave the viewer wondering if there are any redeeming qualities of this man, but every episode gives you a little more of a look behind the mask to see the reality of this outlandish character and prove that there is more to him than his ego.
Ian is the true center of the show, but MYTHIC QUEST would be nothing without all of the employees. Poppy Li, the lead engineer played by Charlotte Nicdao, and David Brittlesbee, the executive producer played by David Hornsby, are in a constant three-way power struggle with Ian. The battle always falls on the employees underneath them. This leads to daily drama from one thing to another. At the end of the day, they find a way to compromise, or at least get through the day without the company falling apart.
MYTHIC QUEST has a very romantic worldview. The overarching moral of the show mirrors the story of their video game. The story is told that darkness overran the city and the only thing that could save them is one warrior with a little bit of hope. This is a very heartwarming story and is a great analogy for the Christian faith, but in this context, they do intend it as a glorification of human diligence and will.
There is a lot of foul language throughout MYTHIC QUEST. The viewer can be sure they will hear plenty of expletives and a smaller but noticeable amount of profanities. This includes a child streamer not only cursing regularly but also at their own parents. All violence depicted is animated video game violence, some of which is a bit bloody but noticeably fake. A few shots of nudity do come on screen. Most shots are of a shirtless Ian, one shot is of Ian’s bare butt in episode 10, one shot is of a cartoon version of Ian’s bare butt in episode 7, and the only other notable shot is of a poster of a scantily clad elf in the pilot episode.
All sexual content comes in the form of crude jokes or innuendos. Lesbianism is a prominent theme between two characters, Rachel and Dana, the game testers, played by Ashly Burch and Imani Hakim, but is never made sexual. Alcohol is used at work in a few episodes, there are mentions of alcoholism, and one character gets drunk at the office party. Lastly there was a lot of harsh jokes, some referring to suicide, many about violence, and one joke about an abortion.
Aesthetically MYTHIC QUEST is very well done. The camera work and story telling are top notch. Certain moments of this show made me sit back wide eyed at how easily they could pull me in and out of the story. Several episodes from this season can stand alone because the stories they told were so compelling, and those episodes still add much to the story as a whole. On top of that, the cinematography is noticeably well done in every episode.
Overall there is a bit to watch out for in MYTHIC QUEST. The majority is language and offensive jokes. Dark and sexual jokes litter the entire script pairing themselves with expletives and profanity for a shock factor laugh. Violence in the show is not much to bat an eye at, but it is there in animated form. Discretion is advised for teenagers and adults.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
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Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
