The film, V for Vendetta (2006), is a fictional story based in Great Britain depicting the relationship between a young woman, Evey, and a masked vigilante, V, who is determined to incite rebellion against the neo-fascist, post-war British government. Evey, a seemingly average working citizen and victim of the oppressive government, meets V after he saves her from an attempted assault by members of the secret police and brings her to his lair. Initially confused and distrusting of V, she eventually grows fond of him and is supportive of his ambitions, as she shares the same resentment towards their government. Serving as a physical symbol of anarchy, V’s vengeance stems from the brutal biochemical torture he endured at a state facilitated resettlement camp, in which we learn had held many marginalized groups such as immigrants, Muslims, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The movie addresses many forms of injustice and social issues, such as violence against women, oppression of the working and lower classes, illness caused by environmental conditions, and general bigotry against minorities. Hegel’s Master-Slave dialect is prominent throughout the film, where the authoritarian government acts as the Master and the civilians as the Slave. The systemic, unjust treatment and brutality prohibit the people of Britain from true freedom, leading to the ultimate following and support of V in dismantling the fascist state through solidarity.
V’s role parallels with Spivak’s “Can the Subaltern Speak?” as the citizens are forced into submission under the authoritative government and possess no effective outlet to demand justice. Thus with the rise of V and his following, the people find solace in his efforts as they unanimously suffer from the same persecution that was otherwise silencing them.
V for Vendetta presents a dystopian story compiled with a myriad of current, real-world issues, creating a scenario that may feel far from reality, yet by ending the movie with the succumbing of the ruling class, the viewer nonetheless is given hope that injustice can be corrected in their own lives.