I liked Fight Club at the time. I was young, too. I was 18. But there was something about it that never sat right with me, and not just the toxic masculinity part. Older me understands that if you make a fable about terrorism as you so aptly put it, there should be some kind of moral lesson, or at least it should operate as a cautionary tale. I think it was prophetic in predicting the "male loneliness" epidemic, and the rising misogyny in the culture, but doesn't really give any ideas on how to change it.
The film ends with what looks like a rejection of Tyler Durden, but what really happens is that Norton's character embraces Durden so hard that they integrate. The former two selves (metaphorically, of course, I understand they were the same person!) are now one, psychologically. He didn't kill him. He folded him in so deeply that he'll never be able to get him out.
That does seem like a rather clear moral lesson though: when we’re missing a Tyler Durden, we flounder in meaninglessness and powerlessness. This is why Jack’s spirits were lifted when Durden was introduced. But when we let a Tyler Durden gain too much control, we become absorbed by fanaticism and tyranny. This is why Jack fell again into misery half-way through. In the end, the force needed to be integrated in order to gain balance.
People seem to miss that the social commentary was dualistic — you essentially had two choices, which were (1) pathetic, weak, consumerism or (2) completely toxic tyrannical aggressiveness. There was nothing prophetic about this, it’s just that it was a core problem then that we still haven’t solved.
So long as gender discussion is tribalistic, as it has been for a long time, we will never attain this balance — because movement toward the middle is considered “switching sides”.
“Pitt's most unique talent as an actor is his self-awareness. He knows he's beautiful. That people are naturally drawn to him.” *edit: Such an insightful read on him in ways I haven’t quite heard so sharply articulated. TY!
I am a young man and watched fight club for the first time around 3 years ago and I think my generation has a different perspective on the movie. These men are not to be admired or trashed. The movie seems a lot like what American psycho was for the 80’s a critique and satire of the time and culture. Not fable with a lesson for people to follow. Throughout the movie you watch the men, who went to fight club to escape their shitty jobs, begin to work for the club full time and what are they doing scrubbing floors and cooking “soap” in incredibly bad conditions. They are worse off than they were except that they have community. If there was a message it would be people will take any community over nothing. But again I don’t think the movie was made to tell you a lesson as much as to capture the general mood of a generation at the close of the 20th century. Interesting piece I enjoyed reading.
I think there are left and right-wing aspects to Fight Club, which is why it's so powerful. It doesn't really sit easily on either side and that's why it sticks in your head.
From the left, you have critiques of consumerism and to some extent what we'd now call toxic masculinity, as others have said.
From the right, you have the point that men do need brotherhood and purpose and struggle, and modern society--what the manosphere now calls the longhouse-- doesn't give it to them. That's where Tyler steps in, to destructive effect.
Fantastic review. This movie came out when I was 19 and I was utterly hooked. Today that feels embarrassing to admit but I can only hope that indicates personal growth. I reason that if the film still resonated with me today the way it did back then, l would be essentially be a 45 year old w the emotional mindset of a 19 year old. I think that would be really sad. The change in perspective you highlight here is also why I love art and specifically movies. They stay the same but you change and that, in turn, changes the way you can view and appreciate them.
I suggest you read “The Misreading of Fight Club”. Maybe because I read Palahniuk’s book before I saw the movie, the anti-consumerist and anti-toxic masculinity subtext was very clear to me, even when I saw it as an 18 year old. Today, it’s even more prescient with the self-help groups turning into Rogan worshippers. Durden was always a cautionary character against this.
I first saw this movie on DVD in high school a year or two after it was released and not long after an English teacher had spent a school year hammering home “the eternal battle between masculinity and femininity” in the novels we read. So I thought it was very sophisticated because I could easily map it onto themes I was being taught in school.
When I bought/was gifted the DVD also in high school I watched it with the audio commentary, which I recall being somewhat fascinating, with Norton and Pitt at odds on the film’s anti consumerism message.
Anyway, thank you very much for this essay. I haven’t watched the movie in years but this makes me want to revisit it. It does seem highly relevant—maybe even directly influential —to current circumstances. Last time I watched it I remembered agreeing more with Ebert’s legendary pan that the twist and final act really suck. But I thought the first 2/3, which is the “meat” so to speak, still worked on all levels.
As usual, amazing article! "Fight Club is an exercise in the aesthetics of testosterone, and the movie smells like gym towels and Gouda," is so apt-- it cracked me up.
I love reading your work! If you're ever interested, you might want to check out Peliplat.com and post your work there! I think it'd do really well on that platform! No pressure, though!
Awww John!! This is so sweet & deep & true - so happy to have come across it. Got me thinking about my own fight club memories, and parts, and organs 🫀
This is terrific work.
I liked Fight Club at the time. I was young, too. I was 18. But there was something about it that never sat right with me, and not just the toxic masculinity part. Older me understands that if you make a fable about terrorism as you so aptly put it, there should be some kind of moral lesson, or at least it should operate as a cautionary tale. I think it was prophetic in predicting the "male loneliness" epidemic, and the rising misogyny in the culture, but doesn't really give any ideas on how to change it.
The film ends with what looks like a rejection of Tyler Durden, but what really happens is that Norton's character embraces Durden so hard that they integrate. The former two selves (metaphorically, of course, I understand they were the same person!) are now one, psychologically. He didn't kill him. He folded him in so deeply that he'll never be able to get him out.
That does seem like a rather clear moral lesson though: when we’re missing a Tyler Durden, we flounder in meaninglessness and powerlessness. This is why Jack’s spirits were lifted when Durden was introduced. But when we let a Tyler Durden gain too much control, we become absorbed by fanaticism and tyranny. This is why Jack fell again into misery half-way through. In the end, the force needed to be integrated in order to gain balance.
People seem to miss that the social commentary was dualistic — you essentially had two choices, which were (1) pathetic, weak, consumerism or (2) completely toxic tyrannical aggressiveness. There was nothing prophetic about this, it’s just that it was a core problem then that we still haven’t solved.
So long as gender discussion is tribalistic, as it has been for a long time, we will never attain this balance — because movement toward the middle is considered “switching sides”.
“Pitt's most unique talent as an actor is his self-awareness. He knows he's beautiful. That people are naturally drawn to him.” *edit: Such an insightful read on him in ways I haven’t quite heard so sharply articulated. TY!
I am a young man and watched fight club for the first time around 3 years ago and I think my generation has a different perspective on the movie. These men are not to be admired or trashed. The movie seems a lot like what American psycho was for the 80’s a critique and satire of the time and culture. Not fable with a lesson for people to follow. Throughout the movie you watch the men, who went to fight club to escape their shitty jobs, begin to work for the club full time and what are they doing scrubbing floors and cooking “soap” in incredibly bad conditions. They are worse off than they were except that they have community. If there was a message it would be people will take any community over nothing. But again I don’t think the movie was made to tell you a lesson as much as to capture the general mood of a generation at the close of the 20th century. Interesting piece I enjoyed reading.
I think there are left and right-wing aspects to Fight Club, which is why it's so powerful. It doesn't really sit easily on either side and that's why it sticks in your head.
From the left, you have critiques of consumerism and to some extent what we'd now call toxic masculinity, as others have said.
From the right, you have the point that men do need brotherhood and purpose and struggle, and modern society--what the manosphere now calls the longhouse-- doesn't give it to them. That's where Tyler steps in, to destructive effect.
Fantastic review. This movie came out when I was 19 and I was utterly hooked. Today that feels embarrassing to admit but I can only hope that indicates personal growth. I reason that if the film still resonated with me today the way it did back then, l would be essentially be a 45 year old w the emotional mindset of a 19 year old. I think that would be really sad. The change in perspective you highlight here is also why I love art and specifically movies. They stay the same but you change and that, in turn, changes the way you can view and appreciate them.
the great irony of this movie is that it wanted to “free” men from their consciences but mostly just gave a generation of guys body dysphmoria
I suggest you read “The Misreading of Fight Club”. Maybe because I read Palahniuk’s book before I saw the movie, the anti-consumerist and anti-toxic masculinity subtext was very clear to me, even when I saw it as an 18 year old. Today, it’s even more prescient with the self-help groups turning into Rogan worshippers. Durden was always a cautionary character against this.
I first saw this movie on DVD in high school a year or two after it was released and not long after an English teacher had spent a school year hammering home “the eternal battle between masculinity and femininity” in the novels we read. So I thought it was very sophisticated because I could easily map it onto themes I was being taught in school.
When I bought/was gifted the DVD also in high school I watched it with the audio commentary, which I recall being somewhat fascinating, with Norton and Pitt at odds on the film’s anti consumerism message.
Anyway, thank you very much for this essay. I haven’t watched the movie in years but this makes me want to revisit it. It does seem highly relevant—maybe even directly influential —to current circumstances. Last time I watched it I remembered agreeing more with Ebert’s legendary pan that the twist and final act really suck. But I thought the first 2/3, which is the “meat” so to speak, still worked on all levels.
Just found you. Love your reviews!
Thanks, Lori!
As usual, amazing article! "Fight Club is an exercise in the aesthetics of testosterone, and the movie smells like gym towels and Gouda," is so apt-- it cracked me up.
I love reading your work! If you're ever interested, you might want to check out Peliplat.com and post your work there! I think it'd do really well on that platform! No pressure, though!
This is very well done.
Excellent essay about a movie I've never watched and probably never will.
Awww John!! This is so sweet & deep & true - so happy to have come across it. Got me thinking about my own fight club memories, and parts, and organs 🫀
not sure what this is about but i enjoyed it
I’ll take it. Thanks for reading
excellent
thanks jeff
I have never actually seen this movie, however your piece was not about that at all really but was a great reflection of what it evoked for you