Civil War shows the United States on the brink of self-destruction.
Will audiences lap it up?
The United States is tearing itself apart in a maelstrom of sectarian divisions.
Armed groups freely patrol vast swaths of so-called sovereign territory.
The worlds oldest continuous modern democracy seems poised on the brink of melting down.
And, oh yeah, a new movie is coming out:Alex GarlandsCivil War.
In Garlands film, the meltdown has happened.
Do you like it?
What will you do about it?
Has Apocalyptic Cinema Changed?
But lately, things feel different.
I think maybe the movies are now being made differently.
And maybe thats part of the post-pandemic response that we really arent able to find those endings as satisfying.
Do Audiences Want Fantasy or Reality?
Professor Scott believes this element will keep the movies semi-realistic allegory from turning into a how-to seminar.
A Calamity Too Far?
Apocalypse and disaster movies traditionally do pretty well at the box office.
I dont want a doomsday movie about this.
I can deal with the giant tsunami knocking out LA because thats unlikely.
But weve seen an attack on the Capitol already.
This may feel like… its picking the scab and then really causing more damage.
So Im curious which way people will [go in their reaction].
Those days may be over.
Like, are those the only two options?
No, lets attempt to find resolution.
Ignore or fight are pretty dark choices there.
My hope is that people would come together and say, I dont like those two choices.
Wheres the third choice?
Do I think were all going to hold hands and sing We Are The World?
No, I doubt it.
Civil War is in theaters now.
