In his ongoing pursuit of the Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote has utilized a wide array of gadgets over the years, all to no avail. But could the real problem lie with the Acme Corporation? Is it possible that the company responsible for products like the “Instant Tunnel” and the “Do-It-Yourself Tornado Kit” simply manufactures subpar items? This is the central premise of the movie “Coyote vs. Acme,” where our unlucky protagonist enlists a less-than-competent lawyer to sue Acme for the physical pain he has endured using their products.
After a convoluted journey to the big screen, the film is set to debut in theaters on Friday. Originally completed in 2023, it was shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery as a tax write-off before being revived last year when independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment acquired the rights.
To honor the essence of the movie, we have compiled a list of our favorite anti-capitalist films from the past four decades.
“RoboCop” (1987) envisions a future where Omni Consumer Products dominates the Detroit police force, with the titular man-machine uncovering the ruthless ambitions of Omni executive Dick Jones.
“They Live” (1988) follows a working-class individual who discovers alien infiltration and consumerist manipulation, leading to a revelation about Earth’s exploitation.
In “Fight Club” (1999), societal discontent fuels anti-capitalist violence, culminating in a symbolic attack on financial institutions to the soundtrack of the Pixies.
“Michael Clayton” (2007) exposes corporate cover-ups as a fixer navigates a legal battle over a deadly pesticide, revealing the extent of corporate malfeasance.
“WALL-E” (2008) critiques consumerism through the lens of a robot love story set in a future where humanity’s excesses have rendered Earth inhospitable.
“Sorry to Bother You” (2018) delves into the ethical compromises of success in a world where corporate exploitation takes on grotesque forms.
“How to Blow Up a Pipeline” (2022) explores the radical actions of young activists targeting the fossil fuel industry, highlighting the complexities and consequences of environmental activism.