The Phantasm of Revolution from Fight Club to Mr. Robot
The Phantasm of Revolution from Fight Club to Mr. Robot
Author(s): Ştefan BoleaSubject(s): Film / Cinema / Cinematography
Published by: Universitatea Babeş-Bolyai
Keywords: Authenticity; Nihilism; Existentialism; Film Studies; Revolution; Freedom; Destruction; Anarchy; Psychosis.
Summary/Abstract: In the following paper we explore the utopian theme of revolution in two filmic works of art: the movie Fight Club (1999), directed by David Fincher, and the very recent TV series Mr. Robot (2015), created by Sam Esmail. We will argue that Fight Club is an existential meditation on simulation, dehumanization and the capitalistic tyranny of the objects combined with a nihilistic pursuit of authenticity through violence. Closely following Fight Club’s rumination on madness as “revolution of the self,” Mr. Robot allows us to take a peek into the mystery of revolutionary freedom: will it change everything or will we come to regret our former tyrants?
Journal: Caietele Echinox
- Issue Year: 2015
- Issue No: 29
- Page Range: 314-321
- Page Count: 8
- Language: English
- Content File-PDF