Abstract
This article investigates David Fincher’s film Fight Club as a critical dystopian narrative. The first part of the article provides the definition of critical dystopia as well as it presents characteristic features of the subgenre. It also sets forward the difference between classical and critical dystopias. The following sections are case studies in which different elements of the film in the context of the subgenre are examined. They focus on the construction of a dystopian society and the negative influence of consumerism on the protagonist and therefore on other people. Moreover, this paper attempts to demonstrate how the overall pessimistic tendency of the narrative is realised. Finally, the protagonist’s actions as well as the aftermath of these actions are described and analysed. The final part of the article focuses on the significance of the last scene which introduces a utopian impulse into the narrative.
Highlights
David Fincher’s film adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s 1996 novel Fight Club has made a great impact on the history of cinematography
Unlike earlier literary dystopias, which have been characterized by many scholars as anti-utopian, critical dystopia draws on the utopian heritage and “retains a utopian commitment as the core of its formally pessimistic presentation” (Moylan 2000: 156)
Classical dystopia seems to be completely absorbed by negativity and does not leave any space for resisting the overwhelming trend, whereas critical dystopia provides some horizons of change (Burns 2016: 45)
Summary
David Fincher’s film adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s 1996 novel Fight Club has made a great impact on the history of cinematography.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
