Elon Musk streams Armie Hammer's banned film Citizen Vigilante on X for 48 hours after Germany blocks its release
After Germany refused to grant Citizen Vigilante an age rating, Elon Musk uploaded the full movie to his 240-million-follower X account for a free 48-hour window, intensifying a debate over censorship and platform power.
A controversial comeback
Armie Hammer returns to leading-man status with Citizen Vigilante, an action thriller directed by Uwe Boll. The film marks Hammer's first starring role since he faced sexual assault allegations in 2021; Los Angeles prosecutors ultimately declined to file charges. Hammer plays a wealthy American businessman in Croatia who becomes a vigilante targeting violent criminals and corrupt judges. The movie premiered in theaters and on digital platforms in mid-June.
Germany's ban and Musk's intervention
Regulators in Germany, Boll's native country, refused to grant Citizen Vigilante an age rating, effectively blocking a standard release. Officials cited concerns that depictions of extreme violence could incite hostility toward immigrants. Boll called the film "incredibly timely" and said he hopes it gets released in Britain soon. On Thursday, June 25, Elon Musk posted the full film on his X account, which has more than 240 million followers, for a free 48-hour window.
The hour's up, the movie's now available on X for 48 hours. Enjoy.
Reception and numbers
Critics have been unforgiving: the movie holds a rare 0% Rotten Tomatoes score among professional reviewers. Audience reaction is sharply different, with a score above 90% on the same platform. During the X window the film also climbed to No. 2 on Apple TV in the United States. Despite the 48-hour window ending on June 27, copies continue to circulate among X users.
- Movie premieres in theaters and on digital platforms (approximate date).
- Elon Musk uploads the full film to X, making it free to watch for 48 hours.
- 48-hour window ends; director Uwe Boll announces sequel Citizen Vigilante 2 for 2027.
Sequel announced
On Saturday, June 27, Boll announced a sequel, Citizen Vigilante 2, slated for release in 2027. Musk responded on X, writing, "Citizen Vigilante 2 will be even better." It is unclear whether Hammer will return.
Hammer speaks
Hammer gave a rare interview to The Hollywood Reporter, describing his reaction when Boll approached him for the project. He also addressed the career fallout from the allegations, which he has denied.
I'm pretty sure I cried. It was just this moment where I was like: I'm going to get to do the thing that I love more than anything -- other than my children. I would have done a fucking cat food commercial. I just wanted to work again.
I made these problems for myself. This didn't happen to me by a fluke accident. I didn't do what people are saying I did. But I brought very dangerous and unsafe people into my life, and I pissed off people in my life -- and here we are.
