The controversial new film Citizen Vigilante, starring Armie Hammer, has been made available to watch for free on social media platform X for a limited 48-hour window. The film, directed by German filmmaker Uwe Boll, features Hammer as a businessman who becomes a vigilante, targeting violent criminals, rapists, and corrupt judges.
Film Content and Controversy
The action-thriller, released earlier this month, has faced significant criticism due to its extreme violence and alleged anti-immigration message. Germany has refused to give the film a rating, effectively banning its release in the country. A post on the film's official X account on Thursday shared the full 90-minute movie, describing it as "the movie Hollywood doesn't want you to see." The film is available for free until 3pm BST on Saturday, June 27.
Director's Response
Director, writer, and producer Uwe Boll, 61, explained in a series of posts that the film was uploaded "exclusively" on X for the "whole world to see." In a video shared on his personal X account on Friday, Boll addressed the controversy, stating that Citizen Vigilante "represents 50% of the population" who believe that "we cannot continue with these unbelievable, wrong migration policies in Europe and America."
In an interview with The Telegraph last week, Boll discussed the film being banned in Germany, saying he felt it was "on purpose" and "a deliberate censorship decision." He added, "I hired a lawyer to complain about it, but we lost in a six-two vote, as I was told that the film was inciting violence against migrants."
Armie Hammer's Role and Comeback
Boll also revealed that he chose Hammer for the lead role "because he was cancelled and wanted to work." Hammer's career was derailed in 2021 after a series of accusations of sexual abuse and misconduct were made against him, which he vehemently denied. In 2023, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office decided not to charge Hammer in connection to the allegations. Hammer has expressed his desire to return to acting, telling The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month that he did not get any job offers for five years.
Hammer is best known for starring alongside Timothée Chalamet in the breakout film Call Me by Your Name. He has also appeared in Sir Kenneth Branagh's Death on the Nile (2022), The Social Network as the Winklevoss twins, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015), and The Lone Ranger opposite Johnny Depp. Since filming Citizen Vigilante, Hammer has worked on three more low-budget productions: a Western called Frontier Crucible, the thriller Night Driver, and a film in Bulgaria yet to be announced.
