Science Fiction Alex Garland’s DREDD is just a little bit…fascist?
Jan 18, 2026
Dive into a thought-provoking analysis of Alex Garland’s take on Judge Dredd. Explore our fascination with his violent, authoritarian figure and the satire vs. spectacle debate. Uncover how US culture shaped Dredd's ethos and the challenges of adapting such a complex character. The discussion also critiques Garland's colonial framing and reveals the film's fascist undertones, especially concerning gender and race. Plus, learn about the comic 'America,' which flips Dredd into the villain, exposing the oppressive nature of his character.
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The Boot's Strange Allure
- Damien Walter argues that audiences enjoy Judge Dredd because it packages authoritarian violence as clever satire and stylish spectacle.
- He warns this creates a troubling temptation to admire the
Satire Enabled Mega-Violence
- Walter traces Dredd's origins to 2000 AD's satirical, anti-authoritarian roots where violence served as critique.
- He shows how that irony let creators publish extreme violence under the cover of satire.
ICE Patriot Protocol Example
- Walter uses a fictional game parody, ICE Patriot Protocol, to illustrate how state power can be repurposed to suppress dissent.
- The example satirically shows escalation from targeting immigrants to silencing journalists and expropriating assets.
