In his lengthy pursuit of the Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote has utilized a variety of gadgets from the Acme Corporation with little success. The question arises: is the Coyote’s failure due to his own actions or the poor quality of Acme’s products? “Coyote vs. Acme” explores this concept as the protagonist enlists a lawyer to sue Acme for the physical harm caused by their faulty products.
After facing delays and being shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery for tax reasons, the film is finally set to release in theaters this Friday, thanks to independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment. To honor the film’s theme, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite anti-capitalist movies from the past four decades.
“RoboCop” (1987) paints a grim picture of the future where a corporation controls the police force, leading to a conflict where the titular character is restricted from harming corporate executives. “They Live” (1988) reveals a hidden alien agenda promoting consumerism to exploit Earth’s resources. “Fight Club” (1999) delves into anti-capitalist sentiments through underground violence against societal norms. “Michael Clayton” (2007) exposes corporate cover-ups and the lengths they go to protect their interests. “WALL-E” (2008) portrays a world overrun by consumerism, contrasting with the simplicity of a robot’s existence. “Sorry to Bother You” (2018) follows a telemarketer who uncovers a dark corporate secret about exploiting workers. “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” (2022) showcases a group’s radical environmental activism against the fossil fuel industry.
Each of these films challenges the capitalist system in its own way, shedding light on the consequences of unchecked corporate power and consumerism.
