Wile E. Coyote’s relentless pursuit of the Road Runner has been filled with failed attempts using various gadgets over the years. However, what if the blame for his constant failure lies not with him but with the Acme Corporation? Could it be that the company responsible for producing items like the “Instant Tunnel” and the “Do-It-Yourself Tornado Kit” simply manufactures subpar products?
This concept forms the basis of the movie “Coyote vs. Acme,” where our unlucky protagonist enlists the help of a less-than-competent lawyer to take legal action against the Acme Corporation for the physical pain he has endured from using their faulty products. The film is set to premiere in theaters this Friday after facing delays and being shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery before independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment acquired the rights last year.
In honor of the film’s theme, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite movies that critique capitalism from the past four decades.
“RoboCop” (1987) directed by Paul Verhoeven, portrays a future where a company named Omni Consumer Products controls the Detroit police department, with the titular man-machine as its main weapon. The film explores the corporate corruption within Omni, highlighting the struggle of the protagonist against an executive’s ruthless ambitions.
“They Live” (1988) by John Carpenter follows a blue-collar worker who discovers special sunglasses revealing that aliens are manipulating humanity through consumerism and conformity to exploit Earth’s resources.
“Fight Club” (1999) delves into societal conditioning to consume endlessly, as the unnamed protagonist rebels against this culture alongside the enigmatic Tyler Durden, leading to anti-capitalist acts of violence.
“Michael Clayton” (2007) starring George Clooney exposes the lengths corporations will go to conceal their wrongdoing, as a fixer becomes entangled in a high-stakes legal battle involving a pesticide-related lawsuit.
“WALL-E” (2008) offers a critique on consumerism through a love story between robots, set in a future where humans live on a spaceship controlled by the Buy N Large corporation, promoting excessive consumption.
“Sorry to Bother You” (2018) directed by Boots Riley follows a telemarketer who uncovers the exploitation of “Equisapiens” by a conglomerate, revealing the dark side of capitalism and the compromises individuals make for success.
“How to Blow Up a Pipeline” (2022) explores a group’s radical attempt to challenge the fossil fuel industry by targeting its infrastructure, highlighting the risks and moral dilemmas involved in environmental activism.
Each of these films offers a critical perspective on capitalism, shedding light on its impact on society and the environment.