Masculinity in Gladiator II

Action films in Hollywood tend to reinforce perceptions of toxic masculinity in American culture. Gladiator II is an excellent action film and it reaches for a relevant political commentary about our lives today. The narrative though is driven by spectacle, exhilarating moments of battle with a highly masculine protagonist. The message rings hollow as the gladiator of the film, Lucius has risen to be the people’s champion because of these same patriarchal institutional values that give him glory, love and devotion.