Elon Musk has endorsed "Citizen Vigilante," a European film that critics and some viewers argue promotes an anti-immigrant message and a dark vision of the continent.
Musk's promotion of the film on X, formerly Twitter, has drawn a mixed reaction. While some far-right activists on the platform have supported it, others have criticized its plot, special effects, and graphic content. The film's producer estimated it made approximately $600,000 from streaming against a $2 million budget, with reviews calling it "astonishingly bad."
Despite the criticism, "Citizen Vigilante" has been interpreted by some as aligning with a narrative espoused by Musk and others on the right, which suggests that European citizens have been let down by established institutions, that migrants are linked to societal disorder, and that drastic measures are necessary to restore order.
In response to questions about promoting a film that depicts the murder of a Muslim family, Musk stated in an interview with The Economist that "It's a movie and it's worth watching." He acknowledged that "there was out of control rape and murder" in Europe but also said he did not believe "Europe's a hell hole."
Musk has previously stated his belief that civil war in the UK is "inevitable." He has also commented on demographic shifts, suggesting that "at some point there will be a reckoning" when a large and rapidly growing group holds beliefs antithetical to Western values.
Supporters of Musk often point to his advocacy for free online speech and suggest that some of his more extreme statements are exaggerations for online effect. However, some analysts question his actual political influence in Europe. Gawain Towler, a former director of communications for Reform UK, suggested that Musk has limited political sway on the continent, although he credited Musk with raising awareness about issues such as rape gangs in British cities.
Towler added that he personally prefers Musk's commentary on his business ventures over his political statements. Musk has not visited the UK in several years, according to his statements.