The record
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- Elon Musk promoted the controversial film Citizen Vigilante, directed by Uwe Boll and starring Armie Hammer, after Germany's film classification body initially refused it a rating over extreme violence and anti-immigrant themes.
- Musk made the film available free on X for 48 hours in late June, after which it briefly climbed streaming charts on Apple and Amazon.
- The film's director calls the German decision censorship, while critics focus on its vigilante violence and attacks on migrants; Musk later reposted a message calling vigilante murder a "moderate response" to immigrant crimes.
- The episode has renewed attention on Hammer's career comeback after abuse allegations he denies, and revived debate over the line between classification, censorship and distribution.
What to watch next
- Whether the film retains its streaming momentum or fades after Musk's 48-hour promotion.
- Further German classification decisions, including the reported refusal of a home-entertainment rating.
- Any regulatory or advertiser response to Musk using X to promote and host the film.
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Named Germany · United States · Armie Hammer · Amazon · Apple · Citizen Vigilante · Elon Musk · Trisha Bhattacharya · Uwe Boll · X
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