Nihilism in modern media

Nihilism is the viewpoint that nothing truly matters in life, rejecting religion and fundamental aspects of human existence. In today’s media, nihilism is specifically prominent in film and often leaves watchers with a new outlook on life.

In some cases, nihilism in film is portrayed as immoral, specifically in the 2007 movie 'No Country for Old Men' where the antagonist, Anton Chigurh (played by Javier Bardem), is a ruthless killer that sees his victims as nothing but flesh and blood. Nihilism is embedded in this character specifically as he kills with no remorse or strings attached, making human life have no value.

Graffiti portrait of antagonist ‘Anton Chigurh’ in London. Picture Source: MsSaraKelly

On a mission to hunt down Llewelyn Moss (played by Josh Brolin), Bardem’s character allows nothing to stand in his way from getting to him. A poignant scene within No Country for Old Men shows Chigurh offering a cashier a fifty-fifty chance of survival with a game of heads or tails. This scene in particular shows how the brutal psychopathic killer doesn’t care about human life and sees them as nothing more than livestock, rather than sentient beings.

In recent cinema, the film 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' uses the multiverse to confront nihilism with emotion and reasoning. The protagonist, Evelyn Quan Wang (played by Michelle Yeoh), is suddenly thrown into the multiverse while trying to do her taxes in an IRS office. Her journey through the multiverse shows her different versions of herself, from having hotdogs for hands, being a hibachi chef or movie star to just being a rock.

Actress ‘Michelle Yeoh’ speaking during the Film Festival of India. Picture source: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

During the film, Evelyn’s daughter Joy Wang (played by Stephanie Hsu), takes a nihilistic approach to life where everything is overwhelming, and nothing really matters. However, towards the end of the film, the audience is greeted by a more optimistic outlook on life where the nihilism is twisted in a way that is quite beautiful. Although nothing really matters in life, it’s ignorant to look past the good, no matter how insignificant you feel. Choosing a path of cruelty or hopelessness can only cause chaos and destruction. The only thing that matters is what you choose, which is a deeper truth revealed throughout the film.

Allowing nihilism in modern media to alter the way a viewer thinks can be important as it’s quite liberating and can untether you from the chains of a stressful or depressing situation. Viewing a film that offers a moral and optimistic, nihilist point of view, can create a path for someone to change the way they’re living if they’re not happy and ultimately be able to be more spontaneous in their life.