Wile E. Coyote has utilized a wide array of gadgets in his lengthy and unsuccessful pursuit of the Road Runner. However, a new perspective questions whether the blame lies with the Acme Corporation. Could it be that the company responsible for items like the “Instant Tunnel” and the “Do-It-Yourself Tornado Kit” simply produces subpar products?
This premise forms the basis of the film “Coyote vs. Acme,” where the hapless protagonist enlists a lawyer to sue the Acme Corporation for the physical pain he has endured from using their products. After facing delays, the movie is finally set to premiere in theaters this Friday.
To commemorate the film’s theme, we have compiled a list of our favorite anti-capitalist movies from the past four decades.
“RoboCop” (1987) envisions a future where a corporation, Omni Consumer Products, controls the Detroit police force. The film follows RoboCop, a man-machine created by Omni, as he uncovers the company’s unethical practices.
In “They Live” (1988), a regular worker discovers a pair of sunglasses that reveal hidden messages from aliens disguised as humans, promoting consumerism and conformity to distract from their exploitation of Earth’s resources.
“Fight Club” (1999) explores how societal norms drive consumerism, leading the protagonist to rebel against this culture through underground anti-capitalist activities.
“Michael Clayton” (2007) exposes the lengths corporations go to conceal their wrongdoing, with George Clooney’s character entangled in a legal battle over a deadly pesticide.
“WALL-E” (2008) portrays a future where rampant consumerism has devastated Earth, forcing humans to live on a spaceship controlled by a corporate giant that encourages excessive consumption.
“Sorry to Bother You” (2018) follows a telemarketer who discovers the dark secrets of a conglomerate, unveiling the exploitation of a mutant workforce bred for profit.
“How to Blow Up a Pipeline” (2022) showcases a group of activists attempting to challenge the fossil fuel industry through direct action, highlighting the risks and consequences of their environmentalist mission.