Right-Wing Commentator Predicts Film Will Inspire Real Vigilante Attacks in Europe
"The movie is going to inspire a lot of people to do this. I'm, I'm telling you right now, this is one of the— this is one of the darkest movies I've seen that's gonna inspire actual vigilantes who are sick of it in Europe. Like, here's Tommy Robinson. I think this level of guys is going to show up."
About this episode
Piers Morgan hosts a heated debate about the controversial film Citizen Vigilante between its director Uwe Boll and journalist Mehdi Hasan, centering on whether the movie constitutes dangerous propaganda or legitimate artistic expression. The film, starring Armie Hammer as a U.S. veteran who murders Muslim migrants in Europe, has been catapulted to number one on digital purchase charts after aggressive promotion by Elon Musk to his 240 million Twitter followers. Hasan reveals that Musk has retweeted accounts calling the film's climactic scene—where the protagonist executes an entire Syrian refugee family—a 'moderate response,' and has discussed funding a sequel. The movie is reportedly banned in several countries for inciting violence. Boll defends the film as a reaction to what he views as out-of-control migration and inadequate prosecution of migrant crime in Europe, arguing it reflects legitimate public frustration with establishment politics. He dismisses criticism from reviewers who have called it fascist propaganda and the worst film of the year. Hasan counters that the film is being weaponized by the American right during a period of actual anti-Muslim violence in Scotland, England, Germany, and the United States. He argues Boll has cynically abandoned his previously empathetic stance on migrants—evidenced by his 2023 film Run—to chase a MAGA audience after commercial failure. The debate reveals Boll previously criticized Trump as a fascist liar but now softens his stance, admitting he needs to find audiences for his self-financed films. Right-wing commentator Patrick Bet-David is shown predicting the film will inspire real vigilante attacks in Europe. The exchange exposes tensions between artistic freedom, commercial incentives, and responsibility for real-world consequences when inflammatory content is amplified by the world's richest and most followed man on social media.
Key takeaways
- Elon Musk promoted Citizen Vigilante to 240 million followers, retweeting users who called murdering an entire migrant family the 'moderate response,' propelling the film to number one on digital charts.
- Director Uwe Boll admitted he targeted conservative Republican audiences after his pro-migrant film Run failed commercially, acknowledging he 'goes where the audiences are' despite previously calling Trump a fascist.
- Right-wing commentator Patrick Bet-David explicitly predicted the film will inspire actual vigilante violence in Europe, comparing potential attacks to organized crime family retribution.
- The film's climax shows Armie Hammer's character executing a Syrian refugee father, mother, son, and daughter with no legal process, justified by the son's alleged crimes.
- Mehdi Hasan cited recent anti-Muslim attacks in Scotland, England, Germany, and San Diego where perpetrators left manifestos about eliminating 'invaders,' arguing the film's promotion is irresponsible during this violence.
- Boll defended the movie as reflecting legitimate European frustration with migration policy and inadequate prosecution of crimes, arguing his intent was to warn politicians rather than incite violence.
- The debate highlighted that crime rates are actually declining across Europe and the U.S. has higher violent crime and murder rates than every EU member state, contradicting the film's premise.