Walsh's Documentary "Am I Racist" Outperforms Coppola's Anti-Trump Film, Despite Costing 40x Less

Walsh's Documentary Finds Success Amidst Criticism

Matt Walsh, a commentator for Daily Wire, launched his satirical documentary, "Am I Racist?", in early September, much to the surprise and chagrin of film critics and industry insiders who consider themselves the sole custodians of cinema. Despite facing fierce criticism from left-wing factions, the film's unexpected success starkly contrasted with the failure of Francis Ford Coppola’s "Megalopolis", a sci-fi political drama with an anti-Trump subtext.

Shifting Trends in Film Industry

The performance of these two films may suggest a changing trend in consumer preferences. Earlier films with a conservative-friendly narrative, such as Angel Studios’s "Sound of Freedom", have surpassed box office expectations, while movies and television series with a heavy "woke" narrative continue to underperform. This includes Disney’s recent addition to the Star Wars series, "The Acolyte", which faced criticism from fans for its focus on feminist and LGBT themes.

Walsh's Documentary Outperforms Coppola's Film

Walsh's documentary, a tongue-in-cheek examination of how proponents of "diversity, equity and inclusion" fail to recognize their own hypocrisy, grossed $4.5 million on opening and boasts a 97% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film, which cost $3 million to make, had grossed more than $11 million as of September 30. In contrast, Coppola's "Megalopolis" earned $4 million at the box office in its opening weekend and has a 34% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Coppola's Film Fails to Impress Critics

"Megalopolis", a $120 million project decades in the making for the "Godfather" director, is a cautionary tale about a fragile republic vulnerable to greed, corruption, and fascism. However, the film failed to impress most critics, who felt the message was obscured by too many ideas. Despite an attempt to be inclusive by casting Trump-supporting Oscar-winner Jon Voight, Coppola made no secret of the film's connection to the current U.S. political landscape.

Bottom Line

The contrasting performances of Walsh's "Am I Racist?" and Coppola's "Megalopolis" may point to a shift in audience preferences, with conservative-friendly narratives finding more success at the box office. It raises the question of whether Hollywood studios are missing out on potential revenue by alienating conservative viewers. What are your thoughts on this trend? Do you think Hollywood should be more inclusive in its narratives? Share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.