Whether you’re craving Conan O’Brien’s sharp wit and winning smile or a little darkness of the documentary sort — from deep dives into recovery programs turned into cults to an examination of the toxicity inherent to the fast fashion industry — MAX has got you covered with a handful of must-see shows and movies premiering in April.
‘The Synanon Fix’ | April 1
The upcoming docuseries chronicles the rise and fall of the Synanon Organization, which started as a drug rehabilitation recovery program yet ultimately descended into what many now consider a cult. Judy Dederick Montgomery recounts her experience as the daughter of Synanon founder Chuck Dederick, speaking out publicly for the first time in the four-part Max Original.
‘Brandy Hellville: Cult of Fashion | April 9
In a recently released teaser for the upcoming documentary, experts and consumers discuss the relationship between Brandy Melville’s success and social media, as girls flocked to the designer’s clothing simply because everyone else was wearing it…and flashing their Melville-stamped pieces online. Meanwhile, as various teenage girls flocked to the brand, its one-size-fits-all all declaration became synonymous with one-size-fits skinny white girls: the only individuals hired to work the storefronts, while others (mostly members of minority groups) worked tirelessly in the stockrooms and in the shadows. The CEO was later called out on his racist policies, as well as his sexist mentality and overt sexualization of his employees. The documentary also details the brand’s role in fast fashion and how it has negatively impacted the environment, breaking down the far-reaching toxicity inherent to such clothing companies.
‘The Sympathizer’ | April 14
As the Vietnam War nears its end, a plant previously embedded in the South Vietnam army flees to the United States and moves into a refugee community. However, here, he secretly spies on those around him and continues to report back to the Viet Cong. The upcoming series stars Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr., Scott Ly (Animal Kingdom, A Tourist’s Guide to Love), Hoa Xuande (Last King of the Cross) as the primary protagonist, Fred Nguyen Kahn (Transplant, To Catch a Killer), and Tien Pham (Desperate Waters).
The series is based on the 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Viet Thanh Nguyen and will be a genre-bending series — traversing spy thriller, satire, drama, and historical fiction. Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar serve as co-showrunners, with Chan-Wook directing.
‘An American Bombing: The Road to April 19’ | April 16
The upcoming documentary film from director Marc Levin (One Nation Under Stress, I Promise, Stockton on My Mind) recounts the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, revealing the roots of anti-government sentiment and its repercussions today. The film will likely be a tough watch, featuring warnings from those who suffered tragic losses at the hands of this deadly homegrown attack. (Note: The historical clip below is not a trailer)
‘Conan O’Brien Must Go’ | April 18
Conan O’Brien Must Go follows the former late-night host as he visits the friends he made while hosting his podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. Who knows where each deep discussion will lead as he traverses the globe to talk to various individuals from different walks of life. This upcoming series is bound to be filled with laughs and a sprinkling of worthwhile lessons.
