Citizen Vigilante
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Uwe Boll
Written by Uwe Boll
Produced by
  • Uwe Boll
  • Boris Velican
Starring
  • Armie Hammer
  • Costas Mandylor
Cinematography Mathias Neumann
Edited by Ethan Maniquis
Music by Rodolfo Matulich
Production
company
Event Film Distribution
Distributed by Quiver Distribution
Release date
  • June 19, 2026 (2026-06-19)
Running time
89 minutes[2]
Countries
  • Croatia
  • Germany[1]
Language English

Citizen Vigilante is a 2026 vigilante action film produced, written, and directed by Uwe Boll. It stars Armie Hammer and Costas Mandylor. In the film, Sanders, a vigilante upset about violence perpetuated by migrants, decides to take justice into his own hands, targeting migrant criminals and corrupt officials.

The film was released in select theaters and on digital on June 19, 2026.

Synopsis

Sanders is an American man frustrated by the lack of public justice regarding immigrant perpetuated violent crime and decides to take things into his own hands by becoming a vigilante.[3] He sets out to punish both the violent immigrants perpetuating crime in his city and the corrupt officials that protect them.[3] As his vigilantism increases, so does his public profile, winning public support as a hero figure, as well as the attention of Henry, an Interpol chief, who views him as a threat to society.[3]

Cast

  • Armie Hammer as Sanders, a vigilante[4][5]
  • Costas Mandylor as Henry,[5] an Interpol chief
  • Neb Chupin as Pierre
  • Vjekoslav Katusin as Arab Mafia Boss
  • Lennart Betzgen as Rick
  • Benjamin Schnau as Jack

Production

In January 2025, it was announced that a thriller film produced, written, and directed by Uwe Boll titled The Dark Knight was in pre-production, with Armie Hammer cast in the lead role. Principal photography began on January 27, 2025, in Croatia with Mathias Neumann serving as the cinematographer.[4][6] In February, Costas Mandylor joined the cast.[5] Filming wrapped on April 3, 2025.[7][8] Warner Bros. sent Boll a cease-and-desist letter regarding the use of the title The Dark Knight.[9] In April 2025, the title had been changed to Citizen Vigilante.[10]

Release

In February 2026, Quiver Distribution acquired the film rights of Citizen Vigilante and was released on June 19, 2026.[11][3]

According to Boll, the film was denied an age certification in Germany for promoting vigilantism.[12][13] In response, Boll publicly claimed that the board used "youth protection" as a pretext to suppress the film due to its focus on migration-linked crime in Europe. A reviewer had described the film as a “furious anti-immigration” parable.[14]

References

  1. ^ Gilchrist, Todd (June 19, 2026). "'Citizen Vigilante' Review: Uwe Boll Does Armie Hammer No Favors With This Morally Bankrupt Thriller". Variety. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  2. ^ "Citizen Vigilante". athome.fandango.com. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d Welch, Alex (May 27, 2026). "Armie Hammer Returns as a Leading Man in 'Citizen Vigilante' Trailer". TheWrap. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  4. ^ a b Meza, Ed (January 7, 2025). "Armie Hammer Set for Lead Role in Uwe Boll's Vigilante Thriller 'The Dark Knight' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c Meza, Ed (February 13, 2025). "Armie Hammer Dispenses Vigilante Justice in 'The Dark Knight' First Look Image as Costas Mandylor Joins Cast (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  6. ^ "Filming of "The Dark Knight" begins in Croatia". Croatia Week. January 27, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  7. ^ Meza, Ed (April 3, 2025). "Armie Hammer Thriller 'Dark Knight' Getting New Title Following Chat With Warner Bros. (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  8. ^ "Armie Hammer Starrer The Dark Knight's Title Changed To THIS After Feedback From Warner Bros, Batman Fans". timesnownews.com. April 4, 2025. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  9. ^ Fraser, Kevin (February 18, 2025). "Uwe Boll still plans on calling his next film The Dark Knight, even after a letter from Warner Bros". JoBlo.com. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  10. ^ Meza, Ed (April 3, 2025). "Armie Hammer Thriller 'Dark Knight' Getting New Title Following Chat With Warner Bros. (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  11. ^ Meza, Ed (February 12, 2026). "Quiver Acquires Uwe Boll's 'Citizen Vigilante' Starring Armie Hammer, Readies Summer Release (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  12. ^ Tichys Einblick - Uwe Boll "https://www.tichyseinblick.de/feuilleton/medien/citizen-vigilante-deutschland-fsk/"
  13. ^ "Interview with Uwe Boll: Citizen Vigilante Director on Politics, Cinema, and the Future of Filmmaking". Indie Cinema. June 14, 2026.
  14. ^ Saunders, Jarrod (June 16, 2026). "ARMIE HAMMER'S COMEBACK FILM OPENS JUNE 19 — GERMANY HAS ALREADY BANNED IT". Fortress of Solitude. Fortress Entertainment PTY LTD. Retrieved June 16, 2026.