Cinema embraces conspiracy theories: a new wave of paranoia
Recent films like Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day' and Lanthimos's 'Bugonia' revive the paranoid thriller genre, reflecting widespread public distrust and the mainstreaming of conspiracy theories.
A wave of conspiracy-themed films is hitting cinemas, echoing the paranoid thrillers of the 1970s. Directors like Steven Spielberg, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Ari Aster are releasing movies that explore government cover-ups, aliens, and elite manipulation. Titles include "Disclosure Day," "Bugonia," "The Invite," and "Wild Horse Nine." These films share a language of alienation and mistrust, seeking a final truth.
In "Disclosure Day," Josh O'Connor plays a whistleblower with state secrets proving alien existence. Spielberg appears in the trailer to vouch for the film's authenticity. "Bugonia" posits that billionaires are literal aliens, while "Wild Horse Nine" delves into Cold War secrets.
A 2024 poll found that 61% of Americans believe in ghosts, 57% in aliens, and 78.6% agree with at least one conspiracy theory. This creates a large market for such stories. Ari Aster's "Eddington," set during Covid, satirizes conspiracy culture but is also a symptom of it.
Kane Parsons's "Backrooms" is a pure cinematic metaphor—a maze of corridors that feels like a mystery box. It never fills all the blanks, leaving room for interpretation.
The genre faces competition from real-world politics. Donald Trump frequently rails against the deep state, and Steve Bannon advocates flooding the zone with disinformation. Films no longer hold a monopoly on conspiracy narratives.
Despite this, conspiracy thrillers remain popular because they offer an illusion of order. As novelist Thomas Pynchon noted, an anti-paranoid state—where nothing connects—is unbearable. Cinema provides the plot twists and reveals people crave.
