Tim Robinson, known for pushing the boundaries of absurd humor with I Think You Should Leave, returns with his new HBO series The Chair Company. Critics describe it as a deranged black comedy crafted for our “deranged times.”
Created by and starring Robinson, the eight-episode series follows Ron (Robinson), a suburban family man slowly losing his grip on reality. Tasked with designing a shopping mall, Ron’s life unravels after an embarrassing incident at a work meeting. Convinced everything is conspiring against him, he refuses to accept blame and becomes obsessed with “finding who’s responsible.”
This premise encapsulates the essence of Robinson’s characters: people who never admit fault, fear embarrassment, and stubbornly deny reality. The Chair Company takes this idea further, transforming into a biting parody of modern conspiracy-obsessed individuals.
The show tracks Ron’s descent into internet forums and dark corners, searching for a “grand truth.” Is there really a conspiracy, or is it all in his head? This fine line between reality and paranoia is both unsettling and hilariously entertaining.
Robinson is joined by Lake Bell, Sophia Lillis, Lou Diamond Phillips, and newcomer Joseph Tudisco. Tudisco’s portrayal of Mike Santini—a peculiar diner security guard—infuses the series with a true “cult favorite” vibe.
The Chair Company feels like a bizarre cousin to classic conspiracy films like The Parallax View or Three Days of the Condor. In Robinson’s universe, paranoia fuels laugh-out-loud chaos. The directors strike a balance between madness and humor, satirizing the information overload and personal obsessions of the social media age.
Critics hail the show as “one of the best black comedies of the modern era.” /Film gives it an 8/10, particularly praising Robinson’s performance, which transitions from “small embarrassments to cosmic madness.”
The series’ greatest strength lies in finding emotional truth within the absurdity. Though paranoid and infuriating, Ron is just someone who feels misunderstood, making it easy for viewers to reluctantly root for his lunacy.
The Chair Company premieres on HBO on October 12, 2025, with new episodes airing weekly, culminating in the finale on November 30.
In short, The Chair Company is quintessential Tim Robinson: absurd, unsettling, clever, and at times eerily familiar. Holding a mirror to the absurdity of reality, this series leaves you with laughter tinged with unease—much like the era we live in.
