Watch The Columnist

The Columnist is a Dutch movie from 2019 that tells the story of how a successful columnist named Femke Boot (Katja Herbers) takes revenge on the vicious trolls that constantly bully her online. Femke is a popular columnist who writes about topics related to feminism and gender issues. She regularly receives hate mail and insults from anonymous trolls who do not agree with her opinions. One day, after a particularly harsh attack, Femke snaps and decides to track down the identity of her online tormentor.

Femke's quest for revenge is not limited to just finding her trolls' identities. She takes it one step further by confronting and punishing each one of them in a gruesome and violent way. As she progresses through her list of trolls, she starts to enjoy the power she holds over them and the sense of control it gives her over her life.

The movie explores the complex psychological effects of online harassment on individuals and how it can lead to a dangerous and violent response. Moreover, it highlights the lack of accountability that exists in the online world and how it emboldens anonymous attackers to spread hate and vitriol without fear of consequences.

Katja Herbers gives a powerful performance as Femke Boot, conveying her character's vulnerability, anger, and thirst for revenge with ease. The supporting cast, including Genio de Groot as her editor and Harry van Rijthoven as her ex-husband, also delivers strong performances that add depth and complexity to the narrative.

The director, Ivo van Aart, infuses the movie with a sense of tension and unease that makes it a gripping watch. The pacing is well-structured, and the tension builds gradually as the story progresses. The use of social media platforms and comments sections as a visual backdrop to Femke's harassment is an effective and chilling representation of the toxic online culture that exists in today's world.

The Columnist is not just a revenge thriller, but it also asks profound questions about the morality and ethics of vigilantism. Is it justifiable to take matters into your own hands when justice is not served? Are violent acts of revenge the only viable recourse for victims of online bullying? The movie certainly does not provide easy answers to these questions, but it does force the audience to reflect on the complexity of these issues.

All in all, The Columnist is a well-crafted movie that offers a chilling commentary on the insidious nature of online harassment and how it can cause individuals to act in unpredictable and dangerous ways. The performances, direction, and script are all top-notch, and it is sure to make an impact on viewers who have experienced online harassment or witnessed it happen to others.

The Columnist is a 2021 comedy. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 60.