Review of Assassination Nation (2018) by Ian B — 20 Sep 2018

I'm conflicted. I can't pinpoint what the overall message is but visually it's a beautiful film to look at. Its energetic and stylish. It's also effectively disturbing. I just cant tell exactly who or what in our culture its critiquing. Toxic masculinity? What about the toxic femininity of gynocentric third wave feminism. Trigger warnings? It seems to mock trigger warnings in actuality, which I kinda like. Nationalism as the trailer suggests? I didnt see that in this film. And if it's based on cultural ideals and not immutable characteristics like race, what exactly is wrong with nationalism or patriotism?

Is it a critique of traditionalism? The parents in the film are cruel but secularism created this culture, so isnt it just as worthy of criticism? Is it a critique of society's blatant addiction to being outraged? I need to see it again, study it a little more to see the directors intent, but speaking of the director, hes a master at the craft and made a visually compelling film. It's worth watching.

Politically I'd call myself a conservative, and this film is being marketed as a social justice message... I just didn't see that. It felt more like a critique or everyone but maybe that's just from my point of view.