Make America Hate Again? The Politics of Vigilante Geriaction

Frame, Gregory

Abstract

The article explores the politics of the vigilante geriaction film, with specific focus on the remake of Death Wish (Eli Roth, 2018). In its construction of a nation under mortal threat from within and without, the subgenre is uncritical in its reinforcement of Trumpian rhetoric regarding the marginalization, precarity, and obsolescence of the older white male. Typical of the contemporary vigilante film, through its visual style, representation of masculinity, and aging star (Bruce Willis), Death Wish attempts to resuscitate a form of authoritarian heroism considered outmoded in the contemporary cultural landscape.

Citation

Frame, G. (2021). Make America Hate Again? The Politics of Vigilante Geriaction. Journal of Popular Film and Television, 49(3), 168-180. https://doi.org/10.1080/01956051.2021.1957337

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 1, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Nov 10, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021
• Deposit Date: Apr 25, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: May 4, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Popular Film and Television
• Print ISSN: 0195-6051
• Electronic ISSN: 1930-6458
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 49
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 168-180
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01956051.2021.1957337
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/19006414
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01956051.2021.1957337