---
title: "Hacks"
year: 2021
kind: "series"
canonical: "https://film.one/tv/hacks"
fi1m_id: "hacks"
imdb_id: "tt11815682"
tmdb_id: 124101
wikidata_id: "Q106819328"
fi1m_score: 83
critics_score: 80
critics_reviews: 8
published: "2026-09-11"
updated: "2026-09-15T21:38:44.936611+00:00"
region: "DK"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Hacks (2021)

Created by Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky · Medierådet 15 · Comedy, Drama

## Identity

Hacks

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/tv/hacks
- **Type:** Series
- **Fi1m ID:** hacks
- **IMDb ID:** tt11815682
- **TMDB ID:** 124101
- **Wikidata ID:** Q106819328
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11815682/, https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/124101, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106819328

**Fi1m score: 83** · Critics 80 from 8 reviews

*In a sentence:* Jean Smart makes being impossible to work with look like a reasonable career choice

> *Hacks* is a funny, sometimes moving comedy about two women who make a difficult job harder for each other. Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder are excellent together, though the writing sometimes presses their generational differences too hard.

## Synopsis

Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is a veteran stand-up comedian in Las Vegas who finds herself working with Ava (Hannah Einbinder), a young writer whose career is in trouble. They bring different ideas about comedy and work to an arrangement that requires them to deal with each other. As their professional relationship develops, disagreements about age and experience become entangled with personal grievances, and making people laugh becomes a difficult shared task. The comedy-drama also features Carl Clemons-Hopkins as Marcus, Paul W. Downs as Jimmy and Megan Stalter as Kayla.

## Review

*Hacks* is a funny, warmly acted comedy-drama, and we recommend it despite some laboured writing about the gap between its leads. Jean Smart plays Deborah Vance, a veteran stand-up in Las Vegas who finds herself working with a young writer whose career has gone wrong. Hannah Einbinder’s Ava brings her own grievances to an arrangement neither woman seems equipped to make comfortable. The series gets considerable pleasure from their friction, then takes enough interest in both women to make the developing relationship matter.

Smart makes Deborah’s professional authority easy to accept, even when the woman herself is difficult company. She can make a disagreement entertaining without making Deborah seem fair, which is important in a series that asks us to spend so much time with her. We laughed at Deborah’s impatience, then felt unexpectedly protective of her. In her exchanges with Ava, Smart makes being good at the job seem like something she cannot afford to lose.

Einbinder has the less immediately rewarding part and deserves more credit than simply keeping up. Ava’s professional troubles put her at a disadvantage, yet Einbinder makes the younger woman’s readiness to challenge Deborah credible rather than merely convenient for the script. Their scenes work because each performer gives the impression of listening for something objectionable in what the other has just said. The warmth is welcome when it arrives, but the actors do not suggest that liking a colleague will cure the habit of arguing.

Writers including Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are good at showing how easily a discussion about work becomes personal. The weaker exchanges lean too hard on the women’s ages, making their disagreements predictable before either has finished speaking. Ava suffers most from this, occasionally seeming to have been written to illustrate a complaint about younger people. Einbinder gives her more life than that, but the scripts sometimes need a less obvious objection for her to raise.

Adam Bricker’s cinematography is most effective when it lets the performances command our attention. Las Vegas could easily overwhelm a story so dependent on conversation, but the setting never becomes the main attraction for us. The production designers, including Jon Carlos and Rob Tokarz, make Deborah’s surroundings persuasive as the world of an established entertainer. Those surroundings help us accept her standing, though Smart does much of that work before we have had time to inspect them.

The editing team, including Susan Vaill and Jessica Brunetto, gives the verbal sparring a pleasing rhythm without making every exchange feel like a race to the punchline. We enjoy the pace most when irritation has time to linger between the jokes. Carlos Rafael Rivera and David Stal’s music is a modest pleasure beside the performances, supporting the more tender passages without insisting that we stop laughing. The conversations remain what we want to hear.

The series is also sensible about how far charm should excuse unpleasantness. A workplace comedy can become cosy by treating difficult people as harmless eccentrics; these two are allowed to remain troublesome. That makes the warmer passages easier to believe, because nobody has to become agreeable to earn them. Watch it with someone who enjoys a good argument and does not need either participant to win.

*Fi1m score 83, published 11 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics welcome Hacks as a sharply written comedy-drama, with praise concentrated on Jean Smart’s performance and the developing relationship between veteran stand-up Deborah and young writer Ava. The reviews repeatedly credit the leads’ chemistry with making their professional friction emotionally credible, while finding substance in the series’ account of generational differences and the work of being funny. Several see the character development as a strength rather than a distraction from the comedy. Seven of the eight assessments cluster firmly in positive territory, but one dissent widens the spread considerably.

The Hollywood Reporter admires Smart’s versatility yet finds the series short on laughs, its generational tensions schematic and Ava closer to a caricature than a convincing character. The principal disagreement is therefore over the writing: what most critics find sharp and emotionally persuasive, the dissenting review finds too mechanically constructed.

## Straight answers

**Is Hacks worth watching?**

*Hacks* is worth watching for anyone who enjoys a comedy built on two people arguing well, and we scored it 83. Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder are excellent together as a veteran Las Vegas stand-up and the young writer forced to work with her. The writing sometimes leans too hard on the gap in their ages, making a few disagreements predictable.

**How long is Hacks, and what is it rated?**

*Hacks* is rated 15 by the Medierådet in Denmark. It is a comedy and drama series.

**Where can I watch Hacks in Denmark?**

*Hacks* is streaming on HBO Max and SkyShowtime in Denmark. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Hacks, and is it suitable for children?**

*Hacks* carries a UK 15 certificate, so it is not intended for children. It is a comedy-drama with no violence or frightening content to speak of; the certificate reflects adult language and adult subject matter, since the series concerns two professionals who are frequently unpleasant to each other. Older teenagers with a taste for sharp comedy should be fine.

**How does Hacks compare to The Larry Sanders Show?**

*Hacks* and [*The Larry Sanders Show*](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show) are both workplace comedies about entertainers whose professional confidence does nothing to settle their private insecurities. *Hacks* is the warmer and more dramatic of the two, taking real interest in the relationship between its leads, while the earlier series is the sharper and more consistently funny. We would recommend *The Larry Sanders Show* to almost anyone; *Hacks* suits viewers who want their comedy with some feeling attached.

**What should I watch after Hacks?**

After *Hacks*, try [*The Larry Sanders Show*](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show) (1992, Fi1m 91): Another workplace comedy where professional confidence does little to settle private insecurity. Then [*All About Eve*](https://film.one/film/all-about-eve) (1950, Fi1m 90): Professional rivalry and an established performer’s pride, with rather less professional courtesy; and [*Dix pour cent*](https://film.one/tv/call-my-agent) (2015, Fi1m 82): A French workplace comedy for anyone who enjoys talented people behaving unreasonably.

### Reviews we read (8)

- **IndieWire**, Ben Travers (A-): The critic praises Jean Smart's standout performance as the legendary stand-up forced to work with a young writer. The review highlights the show's sharp scripts and evolving character dynamics as reasons it succeeds as both a comedy and character study. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/hacks-review-jean-smart-hbo-max-comedy-1234636928/)
- **The Telegraph** (90/100, inferred): HBO’s superb comedy-drama is every bit as brilliant as you’ve heard, with strong writing, a great cast including Jean Smart, and crisp half-hour episodes that deliver both laughs and depth. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/hacks-review-hbos-superb-comedy-drama-every-bit-brilliant-heard/)
- **The Guardian** (85/100, inferred): The series is a laugh-packed comedy drama full of unforced emotional truths that serves as a perfect vehicle for Jean Smart. It follows the evolving relationship between a veteran standup and a young writer, balancing humour with credible character development. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/01/hacks-review-a-laugh-packed-comedy-drama-that-restores-your-belief-in-the-justice-of-the-universe)
- **Vulture** (85/100, inferred): The critic calls Jean Smart fantastic in the lead role and commends the show's focus on generational conflict and human behavior over traditional jokes. The review singles out the strong chemistry between the two leads as a highlight. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/hacks-tv-series-review-hbo-max-jean-smart.html)
- **Variety**, Daniel D'Addario (80/100, inferred): The critic praises Jean Smart's performance as Deborah Vance, highlighting her versatility and the show's exploration of generational differences and the grind of comedy. It singles out the dynamic between Deborah and Ava for its heart and texture. [Read](https://variety.com/2021/tv/reviews/jean-smart-hacks-hannah-einbinder-hbo-max-review-1234967197/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Inkoo Kang (50/100, inferred): The review notes Jean Smart's standout performance but criticizes the series for not being particularly funny and for its schematic generational tensions, with Ava feeling like a caricature. It praises Smart's versatility but finds the overall comedy lacking. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/hbo-max-hacks-tv-review-jean-smart-1234951994/)
- **Paste**, Clare Martin (8.2/10): The series follows a young writer teaming up with a veteran comedian in Las Vegas, exploring their generational and personal clashes through sharp humor. Smart and Einbinder deliver excellent chemistry and performances that elevate the show's emotional depth and comedic moments. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/comedy/hacks/hacks-hbo-max-review)
- **The Ringer**, Alison Herman (80/100, inferred): The critic describes the HBO Max series as a caustic and hilarious dark comedy about an aging stand-up legend and a young disgraced writer who form an unlikely professional bond across generations in Las Vegas. It singles out the authentic, non-saccharine dynamic between the two leads and the creators' long collaboration for praise. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2021/05/13/tv/hacks-hbo-max-lucia-aniello-paul-downs-jen-statsky)

## Details

- **Created by:** Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky
- **Creator:** Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky
- **Director:** Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jeff Rosenberg, Desiree Akhavan, Jessica Brunetto, Trent O'Donnell, Doron Max Hagay, Jen Statsky
- **Writer:** Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Ariel Karlin, Pat Regan, Andrew Law, Samantha Riley, Joe Mande, Carolyn Lipka, Aisha Muharrar, Guy Branum, Katherine Kearns, Genevieve Aniello, Jess Dweck, Bridget Parker, Carol Leifer, Joanna Calo
- **Cinematography:** Adam Bricker
- **Editor:** Rob Paglia, Jon Philpot, Jessica Brunetto, Susan Vaill, John Daigle, Joseph Ettinger, Janet Weinberg, Ali Greer, Peggy Tachdjian, Marissa Mueller
- **Music:** Carlos Rafael Rivera, David Stal
- **Production design:** Rob Tokarz, Jon Carlos, Alec Contestabile, Daniel Novotny
- **Costume design:** Kathleen Felix-Hager
- **Producer:** Jeff Rosenberg, Adam Bricker, Nate Young
- **Cast:** Jean Smart as Deborah Vance; Hannah Einbinder as Ava; Carl Clemons-Hopkins as Marcus; Paul W. Downs as Jimmy; Megan Stalter as Kayla; Mark Indelicato as Damien; Kaitlin Olson as DJ Vance; Christopher McDonald as Marty
- **Certificate (Medierådet):** 15
- **Release (Denmark):** 13 May 2021
- **Genres:** Comedy, Drama
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJcfoJCCJ50

## Where to watch in Denmark

- HBO Max: streaming, uhd
- SkyShowtime: streaming, hd

*Checked 2026-09-11.*

Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IS, IT, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Golden Globes 2023: Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), Fi1m 91: Another workplace comedy where professional confidence does little to settle private insecurity. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md)
- *All About Eve* (1950), Fi1m 90: Professional rivalry and an established performer’s pride, with rather less professional courtesy. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/all-about-eve.md)
- *Dix pour cent* (2015), Fi1m 82: A French workplace comedy for anyone who enjoys talented people behaving unreasonably. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/tv/call-my-agent.md)
- *The Comeback* (2005): Showbusiness humiliation with a sharper sting and another performer unwilling to disappear.
- *Funny Cow* (2017): A harsher British account of the work and damage behind stand-up comedy.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/tv/hacks