In Miami, Izzy Morales is a programming prodigy. It took her eight years to develop GenCoin, a crypto platform. But she doesn’t have a penny to her name to fund its development. She presents her pitch to the company where Nick Talman works. The company turns down the offer, but Nick is intrigued. He goes all in and invests the money his father entrusted to him.
What he doesn’t know—or rather, doesn’t want to know—is that his father is laundering money for various criminals. In this case, the money swallowed up by GenCoin belongs to the Little Haiti gang. Ronald Dacey, their henchman, is sent to recover the stake.
Except that Ron, who dreams of a better life, will also agree to risk everything. Between these three, it’s the beginning of a chaotic alliance that will have to face dangerous criminals.
A defense of cynicism as a philosophy of entrepreneurship
StartUp explores new technologies from a business perspective. Whether they’re legitimate or shady (sometimes both at the same time), investors are all willing to do whatever it takes to win. Facing them, three rookies business people will have to draw on every ounce of their ingenuity and demonstrate a high tolerance for stress, even when they have (literally) a gun to their heads.
The series doesn’t set out to make its heroes likable. Every character, whether main or supporting, is concerned only with their own interests, without being burdened by a moral compass. That’s too much for my taste. I don’t like black-and-white thinking, but here, I was desperately trying to cling to one or two positive values, to a sense of collective purpose.
Ronald and Mara are a little more likable because they aren’t completely detached from the concept of right and wrong. But overall, despite a good storyline and some great action scenes, the series leaves me with a bitter aftertaste. If that’s the American dream, no thanks—I’ll pass!
3 seasons, 30 episodes (45 mn), 2016-2018, on Crackle then Netflix
Created by Ben Ketai, WITH :
- The partners: Adam Brody (Nobody wants this) as Nick Talman, Edi Gathegi as Ronald Dacey, Otmara Marrero as Izzy Morales, Ron Perlman as Wes Chandler (seasons 2–3), Addison Timlin as Mara Chandler (seasons 2-3)
- Government agencies: Martin Freeman (Sherlock) as Phil Rask (seasons 1-2), Mira Sorvino as Rebecca Stroud (season 3)
- Families: Kristen Ariza as Tamara Dacey, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Touie Dacey (seasons 1-2), Génesis Castro Díaz as Elsie Dacey, Tony Plana as Mr. Morales, Jenny Gago as Marta Morales, Yeidimar Ramos as Delfia (Seasons 1-2)
- Business partners or rivals: Aaron Yoo as Alex Bell (seasons 1–2), Vera Cherny as Vera (seasons 1–2), Reina Hardesty as Stella Namura (seasons 2–3), Wayne Knight as Benny Blush (season 1), Tyler Labine as Martin Saginaw (season 3), Zachary Knighton as Tucker Saginaw (season 3), Allison Dunbar as Kelly (season 3)