I don’t buy Armie Hammer’s attempt to distance himself from Uwe Boll’s movie.
Slate Magazine • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Actor Armie Hammer reportedly felt distressed and was "in tears" after viewing his role in Uwe Boll’s controversial anti-migrant film Citizen Vigilante, his first project since abuse allegations surfaced against him, which he denies.
- The film, initially obscure, gained right-wing attention and was promoted by Elon Musk, leading to its surge to No. 1 on Amazon and Apple platforms, sparking concerns over its use as proto-fascist propaganda.
- Hammer may have been unaware of the film’s full extremist content due to a minimal script and Boll’s rapid filmmaking style, but he had to know about key violent and politically charged scenes involving his character.
- The film’s climax, where Hammer’s character kills multiple Syrian refugees, and other scenes depicting migrants as violent threats, have been widely criticized for promoting hateful, far-right ideologies.
- Despite his discomfort, Hammer might return for a sequel only if offered significant financial compensation, as the film’s reception complicates his hoped-for career comeback.
