...
By Alia Shoaib
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A controversial new film starring Armie Hammer has been temporarily released on X after it was effectively blocked from cinemas in Germany.
The movie Citizen Vigilante tells the story of an American man living in an unnamed European city who is angered by violence perpetrated by migrants, and takes the law into his own hands by killing immigrant criminals and corrupt officials.
The director has decried the effective ban as being a "political" move that amounts to censorship.
Read More on News
Why It Matters
The film has attracted support from right-wing commentators, who have praised it as a challenge to mainstream views on immigration, while critics have accused it of promoting anti-immigrant messaging and violence.
...
What To Know
In Germany, Citizen Vigilante was not given a classification by the country’s film rating body, meaning it cannot legally receive the certification required for public screenings.
The film has not been formally banned, but the move effectively prevents it from being shown in German cinemas.
The film’s director Uwe Boll, who is German, said he is taking legal action over the decision, arguing that the classification ruling amounts to censorship.
Related Story
‘Supergirl’ and ‘Citizen Vigilante’ Cosplay the Same Cultural Fantasy
"It’s against the constitution, it's completely ridiculous to do this kind of censorship for a movie, or a book or anything," he said in an interview with Jack Posobiec on Real America’s Voice.
He countered the explanation that the film had been denied certification because of fears it could inspire copycat violence.
"The movie is dedicated to all the women in Europe who got left alone by the law," he said. "So many cases of random rapes, random stabbings, random violence happened based on mass migration."
He claimed that the movie was being penalized as "the facts don’t fit the political ideas of the current government."
The full film was posted on X on Thursday for 48 hours and shared by Elon Musk. The original post has over 5 million views and Musk’s has more than 10.5 million views at the time of writing.
Citizen Vigilante has received negative reviews from critics, though it currently holds a 95 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an influx of reviews praising its messaging following its release on X.
Hammer’s Comeback
Citizen Vigilante comes as Hammer attempts to rebuild his career after it stalled following multiple sexual assault allegations and allegations of an interest in cannibalism.
Hammer denied the allegations, and authorities in Los Angeles ultimately declined to indict him following an investigation, citing insufficient evidence.
Since the allegations emerged in 2021, Hammer has largely been absent from Hollywood, aside from a return to cinema in the movie Frontier Crucible released in December.
Citizen Vigilante is a politically controversial project which has found support among right-wing audiences.
Hammer’s decision to star in the film comes amid a broader trend in which certain entertainers who have faced backlash from mainstream Hollywood have found new audiences and opportunities through conservative platforms.
For example, Gina Carano aligned herself with conservative media after being dropped from The Mandalorian in 2021 following backlash over social media posts that critics said were offensive. Comedian Roseanne Barr also built ties with right-leaning media after ABC cancelled her sitcom revival in 2018 following a controversial tweet. Both later found audiences among conservative commentators who framed their cases as examples of “cancel culture.”
Boll talked to British newspaper the Telegraph about Hammer’s casting.
"I cast Armie Hammer in the lead because he’s a great actor, and also because he was canceled and wanted to work," he said.
Will the Film Appear in US Cinemas?
Citizen Vigilante received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on June 19, and is also available on digital screening platforms.
It is unclear whether the film will have a wider theatrical run.
What Happens Next
Boll said he is proceeding with a legal challenge in Germany. Meanwhile, the film’s release on X continues to bring it a wider audience.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines