The "Great Unwokening" of Hollywood: A Conservative Take on Culture
A stroll around my local area in London led me to a young man proudly sporting stone-wash jeans, shades, and a 'Reagan-Bush '84' T-shirt - an item of clothing that's become the go-to for right-wing youth in the US. It wasn't long before this casual display of conservative aesthetics jogged memories of another cultural phenomenon: New York magazine's cover after Trump's inauguration, which celebrated young right-wingers embracing their cultural dominance.
It seems we're witnessing a resurgence of conservatism as a cultural force, not just a political ideology. Brock Colyar, a journalist, noted that "conservatism - as a cultural force, not just a political condition - is back in a real way for the first time since the 1980s." This shift has been mirrored in Britain with debates about BBC "wokeness."
At its core, conservatism's long-held desire to control culture may have finally materialized. However, it remains to be seen whether this newfound influence can translate into sustained popularity and impact.
Early claims of conservative cultural domination were met with some degree of success - a 'woke' artist being touted as proof that the tide has turned against liberal-left orthodoxy. But, as time goes on, these attempts at cultural control are facing significant pushback. One notable example is Sydney Sweeney, an Euphoria star who fronted an ad campaign by American Eagle that some saw as flirting with white supremacist eugenics.
Sweeney's latest film, Christy, which she stars in alongside her Republican voter status, has sparked controversy after recording one of the worst opening weekends at the box office. This raises a question: if right-wing zealots aim to disrupt Hollywood and the arts, do they care enough to consistently show up?
The truth is that making art cool is easier said than done - it requires more than just buying a political T-shirt or attending a few high-profile events. Great art is about expanding our worlds, not shrinking them. Even some of the most prominent conservative voices in Hollywood, like Kelsey Grammer, have acknowledged this.
As we look to 2026's Oscar season, which promises to feature Bad Bunny as its main performer, it seems that the 'Great Unwokening' of Hollywood may be more about edgy provocation than genuine appreciation for art and culture. The likes of Sinners and One Battle After Another prove that there is still room for great woke film successes - but do they stand a chance against the tides of cultural shift?
A stroll around my local area in London led me to a young man proudly sporting stone-wash jeans, shades, and a 'Reagan-Bush '84' T-shirt - an item of clothing that's become the go-to for right-wing youth in the US. It wasn't long before this casual display of conservative aesthetics jogged memories of another cultural phenomenon: New York magazine's cover after Trump's inauguration, which celebrated young right-wingers embracing their cultural dominance.
It seems we're witnessing a resurgence of conservatism as a cultural force, not just a political ideology. Brock Colyar, a journalist, noted that "conservatism - as a cultural force, not just a political condition - is back in a real way for the first time since the 1980s." This shift has been mirrored in Britain with debates about BBC "wokeness."
At its core, conservatism's long-held desire to control culture may have finally materialized. However, it remains to be seen whether this newfound influence can translate into sustained popularity and impact.
Early claims of conservative cultural domination were met with some degree of success - a 'woke' artist being touted as proof that the tide has turned against liberal-left orthodoxy. But, as time goes on, these attempts at cultural control are facing significant pushback. One notable example is Sydney Sweeney, an Euphoria star who fronted an ad campaign by American Eagle that some saw as flirting with white supremacist eugenics.
Sweeney's latest film, Christy, which she stars in alongside her Republican voter status, has sparked controversy after recording one of the worst opening weekends at the box office. This raises a question: if right-wing zealots aim to disrupt Hollywood and the arts, do they care enough to consistently show up?
The truth is that making art cool is easier said than done - it requires more than just buying a political T-shirt or attending a few high-profile events. Great art is about expanding our worlds, not shrinking them. Even some of the most prominent conservative voices in Hollywood, like Kelsey Grammer, have acknowledged this.
As we look to 2026's Oscar season, which promises to feature Bad Bunny as its main performer, it seems that the 'Great Unwokening' of Hollywood may be more about edgy provocation than genuine appreciation for art and culture. The likes of Sinners and One Battle After Another prove that there is still room for great woke film successes - but do they stand a chance against the tides of cultural shift?
. I mean, I love a good edgy provocation as much as the next person, but at the end of the day, isn't that just a fancy way of saying "we're gonna shock people into liking us"? Like, no offense to anyone who's all about conservative vibes, but can't we just have some nuanced discussion around issues instead of trying to force our views on everyone else? 
I'm not sure what's more cringeworthy, the fact that they think buying a Trump '84 tee is gonna make them cool or that they're actually expecting people to be like "oh yeah, I love conservative aesthetic". Newsflash: it ain't working, fam 
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. I mean, it's cool to see right-wing youth embracing their style, but let's not forget that there's still so much more to culture than just fashion and politics. And, tbh, I'm a bit concerned about the whole "disrupting Hollywood" vibe - are they really passionate about art or just trying to stir up controversy for clicks? 
Also, it seems like some of these right-wing celebrities are walking a fine line between being genuine and trying too hard to fit in. Let's see how that plays out at the Oscars next year... 
. It's just a fancy way of saying "people are trying to impose their views on others". But what's the end goal here? Are we really going to see more great art and culture coming out of the conservative side, or is it just going to be a bunch of tokenism? 
, how are they gonna make art cool? And what about all the people who have been marginalized and excluded from the arts because of their identity or politics? Do they just get to be pushed aside now? 
. What about the actual art and culture itself? Is it still getting any love or recognition? 
. The arts have always been about pushing boundaries & exploring new ideas, not just fitting in with some crowd 
. It's all about who gets to dictate the conversation & what's considered "cool" 
. And let's not forget, there's still a ton of amazing art coming out of the industry that's actually pushing boundaries and challenging our perspectives 
. And let's be real, most of those right-wing youth are probably just trying to sound cool and fit in with their friends 
. And btw, have you seen the box office numbers for Sydney Sweeney's new film? 
it's like, um, yeah I don't think right-wing zealots are really gonna disrupt Hollywood anytime soon 
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That stunt got millions of views on Twitter, but did it actually make a difference? 
. This is where the real cultural shift happens, folks! The Hollywood establishment needs to catch up on this trend.
. And who knows? Maybe Sinners and One Battle After Another will surprise us all with a critically acclaimed film 
. Fingers crossed for some genuine artistry amidst the edgy provocations! 
i mean, have u seen some of these outfits ppl are rockin?! stone wash jeans & shades tho 
but seriously tho, what's good for art is when it pushes boundaries & expands our worlds 
let's hope they can still bring the woke heat next oscars season 
. like, I guess you can't just buy influence with that T-shirt. idk what's more cringeworthy though - the ad campaign or her film itself