This fall, the Empire Strikes Back.
And by Empire, we mean Hollywood - still smarting over the 2024 presidential campaign. The industry nurses a grudge like a spurned lover, and it uses its soft culture power to retaliate.
Several upcoming films take direct or indirect aim at Orange Man Bad or embrace progressive talking points. Think:
- "The Social Reckoning" - Sequel to "The Social Network," the film purportedly involves the Jan. 6 riots.
- "Musk" - A three-plus hour assault on all things Elon Musk in documentary form.
- "Digger" - Tom Cruise's naked bid for a Best Actor trophy likely doubles as an eco-screed.
- "NAZA" - The Venice Film Festival darling claims Israel is killing civilians on purpose.
That's just a few examples. And then there's "How to Rob a Bank."
The not-so-subtle title casts Nicholas Hoult as a charismatic thief who does what the title implies and shares it far and wide on social media.
The film's first trailer ladled on the progressive tropes, from attacking law enforcement to cheering on our hapless heroes. The teaser even has a Luigi Mangione-like moment.
Who are the good guys again?
The film, which bows Nov. 13, has a new trailer to whet our alleged appetites.
The latest peek has a voice-over discussing the building blocks of the American dream. Education. Unpaid internships. Hard work.
The twist? Yeah, it doesn't compute anymore. Not today. The rent is too bleeping high.
The unwritten, but obvious message? That's why capitalism must go and the DSA is your best bet! Too cynical?
Watch the trailer again.
"We teach our followers how to steal from the banks that steal from them," the film's antihero (presumably Hoult's character) says. Is that a movie character or AOC?
We also see the thieves hugging minority children, another side that they're the "good" guys despite the whole bank robbing part. The teaser is actually more anti-capitalism than the first trailer.
If that's possible.
Prediction: The same critics who are blasting "Run Hide Fight: infidels" this week will adore this. Heck, they embraced the anti-government, pro-violence "One Battle After Another" last year.
That film went on to earn a Best Picture Oscar.
"How to Rob a Bank" doesn't have those lofty aspirations. It's more of a popcorn event, not an awards season entry. Director David Leitch previously gave us "Bullet Train," "Atomic Blonde" and "Deadpool 2." He's no stranger to populist entertainment, and he's not looking for trophies to add to his mantle.
He may want to change the culture, though. And his timing couldn't be better.
If the DSA movement is as popular as many on the Right fear, "Bank" might score big at the box office. That, plus the results of the 2026 midterms, will tell us plenty about the state of America.
If you're not worried, you're not paying attention.
Audiences have rejected not one but two Robin Hood-esque movies in recent weeks. Both "The Death of Robin Hood" and "The Uprising" have bombed in theaters this year.
"Bank" isn't a direct Robin Hood romp, but it embraces the legend's "stealing from the rich to give to the poor" ethos, no doubt.
Will the third time be the charm?
