The far-right vigilante film Citizen Vigilante, directed by Uwe Boll and starring Armie Hammer, has drawn enthusiastic support from white supremacist groups after being widely promoted by Elon Musk. The movie features a character named Sanders, a former U.S. soldier who inherits a real estate empire in Europe and launches a violent campaign against migrants and judges, whom he blames for what he perceives as a Muslim takeover of the continent.
Armie Hammer, who plays Sanders, has publicly rejected the film, describing it as “disgusting” and “hateful.” Despite this, the film’s director, Boll, denies harboring anti-Islam views but stated in an interview that he believes Muslims will dominate Europe within decades, unleashing violence against non-converts. Boll also dismissed Hammer’s criticism, noting that the actor participated in promoting the film during interviews.
White supremacists view the movie as a potent propaganda tool capable of radicalizing ordinary viewers. According to a recent report, the film was largely ignored until Musk shared it extensively on his social media platform X, formerly Twitter, making it accessible to millions over 48 hours. Musk also highlighted a controversial scene where Sanders kills a Syrian refugee family after their son’s criminal act, amplifying its reach among extremist audiences.
Musk’s recent political activity includes significant support for former President Donald Trump’s potential return to office, and his ownership of X has coincided with an increase in far-right content on the platform. His promotion of Citizen Vigilante aligns with concerns that his ventures, including the Grok AI model, have spread white nationalist conspiracy theories and fueled radicalization online.