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‘How to Rob a Bank’ is the most dangerous movie ever made; skip Hollywood’s latest communist fantasy
The opinion article criticises the film *How to Rob a Bank*, which opens nationwide on 13 November, for portraying bank robbers as charismatic figures who claim to help the less fortunate. It argues that the film’s message risks presenting political violence as a justified response to problems in banking and other institutions.
The film stars Nicholas Hoult as a gang leader who blames a banking executive, played by Christian Slater, for his child’s death, and includes bank robberies promoted through social media. The author compares its themes with public reactions to Luigi Mangione, who is awaiting trial on charges over the killing of a healthcare executive, and cites other recent entertainment that, in the author’s view, has made light of or celebrated political violence.
In short
- An opinion piece argues *How to Rob a Bank* glamorises political violence.
- The film opens nationwide on 13 November.
- Its plot centres on robbers who promote their crimes on social media.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Critics of the film may argue that making robbers charismatic, framing their crimes as aid to the poor, and connecting violence to real grievances risks making political violence seem justified or admirable. Given recent public attention to attacks on business leaders, they may see particular reason to question how popular entertainment handles such themes.
The case against
Defenders may argue that a fictional crime story can explore anger at powerful institutions without endorsing violence, and that depicting appealing or morally conflicted criminals is not the same as urging viewers to imitate them. They may also see the film as an opportunity to examine inequality and institutional failure, while leaving audiences to judge the characters’ actions.
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