A new film featuring American actor Armie Hammer, titled 'Citizen Vigilante', has been made freely accessible on the social media platform X for a restricted 48-hour period. This decision has sparked renewed discussion regarding the film's contentious content and marks a notable return for Hammer to the screen following a hiatus.
The German-produced action-thriller, helmed by director Uwe Boll, casts Hammer in the role of a businessman who transforms into a vigilante. His character targets individuals involved in violent crimes, including rapists and corrupt judges. The film, which premiered earlier this month, has already attracted considerable criticism for its graphic violence and perceived anti-immigration narrative. Germany notably declined to grant it a rating, a decision that effectively prevents its general release within the country.
The film's official account on X announced its free availability on Thursday, presenting it as 'the movie Hollywood doesn’t want you to see'. Access to the film was scheduled to conclude at 3pm BST on Saturday, 27th June. Director, writer, and producer Boll elaborated in a series of posts that the film was uploaded 'exclusively' on X for a 'global audience'.
In a video shared on his personal account, the 61-year-old filmmaker addressed the controversy directly, asserting that 'Citizen Vigilante' 'represents 50 per cent of the population' who believe 'we cannot continue with these unbelievable, wrong migration policies in Europe and America'. Boll further discussed the German ban in a recent interview, claiming it was 'on purpose' and a 'deliberate censorship decision', after a legal challenge against the ban failed, with authorities citing the film's potential to incite violence against migrants.
Boll revealed that he chose Hammer for the lead role partly because the actor 'was cancelled and wanted to work'. Hammer's career faced significant disruption in 2021 following a series of sexual abuse and misconduct accusations, which he has consistently denied. In 2023, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office ultimately decided not to press charges against Hammer in connection with these allegations. Since filming 'Citizen Vigilante', Hammer has reportedly participated in three other low-budget productions, signalling his continued efforts to rebuild his acting career.
Hammer is widely recognised by UK audiences for his roles in films such as 'Call Me by Your Name', 'The Social Network', 'The Man From Uncle' (2015), and Sir Kenneth Branagh’s 'Death On The Nile' (2022).