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Bias in the Movie ‘Don’t Look Up’.

Jahbari Hodge

Jahbari Hodge

American Public University System

LIT233

29 May 2022

'Don't look up' depicts the narrative of a gigantic comet that is on a collision course with Earth, and the damaged media world that downplays the discovery and trivializes the risk. When the President, who is self-serving, commits blunders, the comet is allowed to strike. Exaggerated character qualities, ridiculous circumstances, and high-wattage star performances convey a plot based on elements that are almost plausible in this wild comedy.  The climate crises and pandemics are clear analogies for this comet. As depicted in the movie, our society permits us to ignore scientific facts and the possibility that we will bring about our own annihilation, all for the sake of serving the short-term interests of those who are already powerful.

Film's goal appears to be simple political rhetoric, culminating with viewers who just saw it at home opening their poorly insulated windows and exclaiming "Global warming is real!" without any policy or understanding of steps that the need to slow it could necessitate. Individuals like Peter Isherwell, who stand to gain financially from the situation, and the Orleans, who ignore or twist the truth to gain political advantage, are alleged to be the only ones blocking the general public from demanding action. No one can fathom why people put their own personal interests and necessities ahead of environmental policies, regardless of whether it's for employment or income, comfort or sustenance. Alternatively, they may fear that environmental regulations would jeopardize their current well-being. This is due to a lack of political psychology knowledge (McKay, 2021).

Reference

McKay, A. (2021). Don’t look up. Los Angeles: Hyperobject Industries.