Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X, has made Uwe Boll's controversial film "Citizen Vigilante," starring Armie Hammer, available for download on his platform. The film, an anti-immigration "murder fantasy," was uploaded for a 48-hour period, allowing users to download it for free. According to Variety, Musk's involvement came after the film struggled to find distribution.
Uwe Boll, known for his poorly received video game adaptations such as "BloodRayne" and "Alone in the Dark," has reinvented himself as a figure advocating for "freedom of speech for the canceled." This approach involves casting controversial actors in provocative films to generate attention. "Citizen Vigilante" centers on a man who targets immigrants for murder following the death of his wife. The film has been criticized for its alleged racism, inept filmmaking, and gratuitous violence.
Musk reportedly contacted Boll indirectly to facilitate the upload. When asked if he had permission, Boll stated, "Basically, yes," but also acknowledged the potential financial implications, noting the significant public relations gain versus the uncertain monetary outcome. He indicated that the financial impact would be assessed over the next four to six weeks.
Following the X stunt, the film's U.S. distributor, Quiver, has picked up distribution rights for international territories, excluding the UK and Germany where release has already been denied. Boll claims the $2 million film has grossed $600,000 to date. Despite the added attention, critical reception of the film remains overwhelmingly negative, with descriptions highlighting its slow pacing and dull narrative, punctuated by unintentionally humorous scenes.
The casting of Armie Hammer has also drawn scrutiny, given the multiple allegations of emotional and physical abuse leveled against him. Critics have likened this casting choice to similar controversial decisions in the industry, arguing that it conflates opposition to perceived "woke" culture with providing platforms for individuals with serious accusations against them.