Stutz is a cruel display of an unethical power dynamic peddled as a respectful tribute to a vital medical process. Jonah Hill disguises his film as a story about a patient wanting to learn more about his doctor. That lasts about thirty minutes before he shatters that illusion and reveals his actual intention, to fix his therapist. 

For a film that’s supposed to be a love letter to therapy, it egregiously violates the social contract of the profession. Stutz more often than not acts like he’s being held captive and it often feels like he is. What is this guy supposed to say when this millionaire actor decides that his meta take on his mental health process needs to be shown to the world? Especially one who’s so comfortable cracking jokes about suing you even when cameras are rolling. It feels violating to hear this man’s life details, especially as Hill mines it for parallels with his own life. Hill also makes for a horrible therapist, asking probing questions and making strange jokes in a way that always feels invasive.

I’m a big fan of Jonah Hill the actor and was really looking forward to this after his strong directorial debut with Mid ‘90s but this makes me seriously question him. I’d never dispute anyone who found this helpful in their own mental health journey, but personally, it made me never want to burden a therapist again.