It’s been 20 years since David Fincher’s Fight Club was first released in American cinemas, ranking as only the 39th biggest movie of 1999 – with a relatively underwhelming international gross of $100m. However, in those 20 years, the film has grown massively in stature, consistently ranking as one of the most popular and influential movies of all time.
And, having finally seen Fight Club for the first time during its theatrical re-release, I can certainly see why. This is much more than just the testosterone-fuelled, macho, violent flick that I believed it to be. In many ways, it is quite the opposite, representing a rejection of toxic masculinity, as well as highlighting the detrimental influence of capitalism on people’s desire to be seen as ‘cool’ and successful. Two decades on from its release, the messages of Fincher’s work are not only relevant today, but are arguably growing in importance.
An undeniable message in Fincher’s film is an unapologetic critique of modern capitalism. In the film, Edward Norton’s unnamed character shows a consistent disapproval of the capitalist world in which he, as a recall specialist for a large firm in the automobile industry, is firmly part of.
This is most prominent in The Narrator’s criticism of advertising and consumerism, which he believes “has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don’t need”. Norton’s character is the epitome of a modern consumers who is tricked into buying this “shit”, filling his apartment with the newest furniture and latest trends in an attempt to boost his self-confidence. In the end, The Narrator claims, “the things you own end up owning you”.
This stark criticism of capitalism, whether you agree with it or not, is arguably even more relevant in 2019. With the rise of online shopping, social media and personalised ads, people are far more exposed to these influences than ever before. As a result, it has been found that, like The Narrator, more and more people are turning to consumption as a means of offsetting negative emotions and difficulties.
With personalised adverts and social media influencers, people – particularly of younger generations – are more frequently becoming “addicted to the idealised consumer”. Since 1999, the rise of social media and online networks has meant that consumers are more regularly exposed to the lavish and excessive lifestyle of others, and in turn crave this excessiveness for themselves.
Where Fight Club’s Narrator has IKEA catalogues and telephone boxes, the modern consumer has an unlimited exposure to the ideal of capitalism on their mobile phones, making the film’s criticism of the negative impacts of capitalism far more prominent in today’s world.
Fincher’s work is also, I believe, a resounding rejection of toxic masculinity. While Brad Pitt’s character of Tyler Durden is revered by some, acting as many guys’ inspiration with his effortless charm and carefree mentality, the character is ultimately used to condemn the type of behaviours and attitudes that he displays.
In many ways, the character of Durden is the embodiment of toxic masculinity, with his misogynistic views, unwavering self-entitlement and unnerving propensity for violence. Yet, rather than acting as a positive influence in the film, I believe that the character is used for quite the opposite. It is only in The Narrator’s most difficult moments that Durden acts as an inspiration for the character – and even then, the absurdity of his behaviour is constantly questioned.
There are numerous moments throughout the film, such as the scene in which the duo intimidate a young shopkeeper, where Norton’s character is disturbed by the actions of the other. And, in the final act, an epiphany moment for The Narrator leads to an instant renunciation of Durden, showing that this idealised embodiment of masculinity is ultimately a negative influence on the character’s life.
Some have criticised the film for its acceptance of misogyny and endorsement of nihilism, but I do not believe that this is the case. The fact that Norton’s character ultimately fights back against Durden, and it is he himself who is ultimately left beaten up by the character’s actions, demonstrates the negative impact of Tyler and the desire of The Narrator to dismiss his influence. At no point was I impressed by the manner of Pitt’s character, and this is due to the film’s focus on undermining him and his values.
With the recent MeToo movement, and the accompanying exposure of the negative influences of toxic masculinity in not only Hollywood, but society as a whole, these warnings against the behaviour and attitudes of characters like Durden are even more relevant today. Like The Narrator in the final act, we must oppose these sorts of attitudes, and ensure that men such as Tyler are not idolised or applauded in the future.
Far from just a gritty, violent fight movie, Fincher’s Fight Club continues to provide a number of interesting messages for the audience. With the rise of social media and online shopping, as well as the prevalence of movements such as MeToo, the film’s critique of modern capitalism and its denouncement of toxic masculinity feel increasingly important in 2019.
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