From ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ to ‘The Day of the Jackal’: Why Hollywood Has an Appetite for Assassination Tales

Variety - Dec 19th, 2024
Open on Variety

The assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan raises questions about political violence following two attempts on President-elect Donald Trump's life. The primary suspect in Thompson's murder, a privileged young tech whiz, allegedly used a ghost gun. The incident echoes past political assassinations, reminiscent of the conspiracies and skepticism depicted in films like 'The Parallax View' and 'JFK'. These cultural reflections highlight enduring suspicions about shadowy forces influencing political events. With similar themes explored in recent media, the public remains captivated by the notion of conspiracy and hidden agendas.

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RATING

3.4
Unfair Story
Approach with caution

The article mixes factual reporting with speculative commentary, drawing connections between historical events and current ones without providing much in the way of sourced evidence or balanced perspectives.

RATING DETAILS

3
Accuracy

The article contains unverified claims, such as the assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, which lacks confirmation from credible sources. Additionally, the connection to assassination attempts on Donald Trump is left without sources or verification, reducing the factual accuracy.

4
Balance

The article leans towards a speculative and conspiratorial narrative without offering counter perspectives or acknowledging the complexity of the issues discussed.

5
Clarity

While the article is generally readable, its narrative is muddled by speculative language and a mix of unrelated references to historical events and films, which may confuse readers about the main point.

2
Source quality

There are no cited sources or references to credible reports for the claims made, especially concerning recent events. This significantly undermines the reliability of the content presented.

3
Transparency

The article does not disclose sources or provide evidence for several significant claims, and there is no discussion of potential conflicts of interest or biases.