New York : Elon Musk is facing backlash after promoting Citizen Vigilante to his more than 240 million followers on X, giving a major platform to a film critics have described as anti-migrant and anti-Muslim propaganda.
The controversial film, directed by Uwe Boll and starring Armie Hammer, follows an American businessman living in Europe who embarks on a campaign of vigilante killings after claiming the justice system has failed to deal with crimes committed by migrants.
Throughout the film, migrants, particularly Muslims are repeatedly portrayed as violent predators, while the protagonist argues that Europe is collapsing under immigration and warns that if politicians fail to act, “we the people will end it ourselves.”
As the story escalates, the vigilante murders alleged criminals, judges and police officers he views as collaborators, before the film culminates in the execution of an entire Muslim family after their son is accused of rape.
The film’s director claims Germany’s ratings board refused to classify Citizen Vigilante after determining it could incite violence against migrants, effectively blocking its commercial release there.
Despite this, Musk shared the full film on X for free, dramatically boosting its reach and later posting: “Citizen Vigilante 2 will be even better.”
Musk’s promotion has intensified concerns over the amplification of anti-migrant rhetoric on social media, with critics warning that giving one of the world’s largest platforms to content glorifying vigilante violence risks normalising dangerous extremist narratives.
