The Columnist (film)

The Columnist is a 2019 Dutch dark comedy thriller film directed by Ivo van Aart, and written by Daan Windhorst. The film stars Katja Herbers as Femke Boot, a columnist who becomes increasingly enraged by online trolls and decides to take violent action against them.

The film explores themes of social media toxicity, freedom of speech versus hate speech, the dehumanization of online interactions, and the psychological effects of online harassment. It presents a darkly humorous and exaggerated scenario where the protagonist resorts to vigilantism to combat online abuse.

The Columnist premiered at the Imagine Film Festival in Amsterdam in April 2019. It received mixed to positive reviews, with critics praising Herbers' performance and the film's satirical edge, while some criticized its graphic violence. The film sparked debate about the responsibilities of social media platforms and the consequences of unchecked online hate.