The Dropout - A Hulu Series Review

How do you know my intentions? This company could really help people.

The Dropout is a 2022 Hulu series about the infamous scientist Elizabeth Harmon. After dropping out of college, Elizabeth is determined to revolutionize the healthcare industry even if it means going beyond of boundaries of the law.

I didn’t know anything about Elizabeth Holmes until watching The Dropout. The series is a deep look into an investigation that has earned its share of talk in the news world. At times, the series wasn’t as exciting but The Dropout leaves viewers on an unforgettable note of what this woman has done.

Amanda Seyfried’s role as Elizabeth Holmes is a step out of her -usual feminine roles. Becoming this notorious figure, Seyfried transformed her voice and appearance. Disappearing into this role, there was a sense of nothingness in her eyes. Seyfried even commented how uncomfortable the shoes that Holmes would wear, taking them off between breaks.

Seyfried was incredible dictating the impactful story of this woman, feverishly running labs and testing experiments to prepare for audiences eyes. The bags under her eyes are an indicator of how far Holmes will go to get what she wants. It’s offputting and yet illuminating at the same time.

The cast was picked sufficiently for their roles, most portraying significant people from the case. Naveen Andrews was great in his role. Seyfriend and Andrews worked great together in all of their scenes, pinpointing a difficult relationship.

I also enjoyed small roles by William H. Macy and Laurie Metcalf. That’s a pair I liked seeing act together. Everyone delivered strong performances, reading all the layers of the script. More credits include Michel Gill, Bill Irwin, Elizabeth Marvel, Stephen Fry, Michael Ironside, Lisagay Hamilton, and Sam Waterson.

Elizabeth has a varying relationship, whether working, family, or romantic with all the characters. My favorite was between Elizabeth and her mother (Marvel). I like how writers added personal moments to Elizabeth’s life so we could get to know her.

Shoutouts go to Dylan Minette and Camryn Mi-young Kim. They had the best chemistry. So far, this is one of my favorite Minette roles. He has been typecast in teenage roles for most of his life, even when he was past his teenage years. I was impressed with his believable connection to this role.

Elizabeth Merriwether’s main objection to The Dropout was to examine the story of a controversial figure. The story moves at a quick pace. Since the subject matter dealing with science and several conversations about law or business is not in my interest level, it was hangy. But, that’s just me. Viewers in this field will be invested more.

The series felt more like a documentary than an actual dramatic telling. Some layers and storylines may have been a bit over dramatized, but it speculates the areas where it needs. Writers were focused more on the distribution of Holmes than the story. Often it tries to feed comedy but falls stale.

The Dropout is a real eyebrow-raiser. This series was more about the acting for me than the story. Everybody will have their own opinions about it. I did investigate and research more about Elizabeth Holmes which should be the intent of any biographical series. Was it right for this series to release in midst of Holmes’ jail sentence?

To anyone who has followed Elizabeth Holmes’ story, watch The Dropout on Hulu. Most viewers have had very mixed reactions to it. If anything, Seyfried’s performance is the standout of The Dropout. It’s gripping and a well-acted series.