The Day of the Locust (1975) Watch Online Free
Hollywood, 1930s. Tod Hackett, a young painter who tries to make his way as an art director in the lurid world of film industry, gets infatuated with his neighbor Faye Greener, an aspiring actress who prefers the life that Homer Simpson, a lone accountant, can offer her.
The Day of the Locust (1975), directed by John Schlesinger, is a biting, satirical drama set in 1930s Hollywood, adapting Nathanael West’s novel. The film is a bleak exploration of the empty pursuit of fame, and the moral and emotional decay it can bring. The story centers around Tod Hackett (Donald Sutherland), a Hollywood set designer who becomes entangled in the lives of various people living on the fringes of the movie industry, including the beautiful but unstable actress Faye Greener (Karen Black) and her abusive boyfriend, the talentless actor Homer Simpson (William Atherton). Hackett’s involvement in their lives and his growing obsession with Faye ultimately leads to tragic consequences. The film culminates in a nightmarish, apocalyptic sequence at a Hollywood premiere, revealing the full extent of the madness and depravity that underlies the industry’s glittering façade.
Themes and Analysis
At its core, The Day of the Locust is a critique of the American dream and the dark side of fame. It shows how the pursuit of superficial glory in Hollywood destroys the souls of those involved. The film highlights the emptiness and desperation behind the façade of Hollywood glamour, showcasing characters who are obsessed with achieving fame, only to find it hollow and soul-crushing.
The film is particularly interested in the contrast between the promise of fame and its inevitable disillusionment. Faye, for instance, is a childlike, unstable character whose ambition blinds her to the costs of her actions. Hackett, on the other hand, represents the artist trying to make sense of a broken world, yet even he is consumed by obsession and cynicism. The film also explores the exploitation of the vulnerable, as characters such as Homer are treated as disposable by the more manipulative figures in the industry.
The movie’s surreal finale, where chaos erupts at the premiere, is symbolic of Hollywood’s inherent instability. It reflects how the pursuit of fame can ultimately devolve into madness, leaving people broken and trapped in their own delusions.
Impact of the Movie
The Day of the Locust did not achieve immediate commercial success, but over time, it has been recognized as an unflinching critique of Hollywood’s illusions. The film’s tone and visuals helped define its powerful impact, and it continues to be cited as a precursor to later films like Sunset Boulevard and Mulholland Drive, which similarly critique the destructive nature of fame. While its intense cynicism and shock value might alienate some viewers, others appreciate the way it deconstructs the myths surrounding Hollywood.
The Day of the Locust will likely leave you feeling unsettled and perhaps disillusioned, as it delivers a harsh, apocalyptic view of Hollywood’s allure. The film’s brutal portrayal of characters whose lives are consumed by ambition and vanity can make you reflect on the destructive power of fame. You might also feel a sense of despair for the characters, trapped in a world that exploits their weaknesses. The unsettling tone and tragic conclusion ensure that this is not a film you’ll soon forget
