Fight Club and Why You're Falling into a Pit of Despair

[@MansplainingMovies]

If you consider yourselves lovers of film, I would like to ask you to subscribe to Lonesome Cowboy Productions, an afiliate channel that will be focused on the rollouts of original independant films, a link is in the description. Both Mansplaining Movies and Lonesome Cowboy Productions will be heavily active channels in 2025, I want my channels to contribute to a community of people who celebrate cinema. I want the videos of Mansplaining Movies to be of a higher standard, I wrote a lot of them in a way doesn't really represent myself and it makes me cringe when I hear people thinking these videos are an extension of myself rather than something made intentionally in a way that would increase engagement. In 2025 I will have the time in my life to actually take KZbin seriously and Lonesome Cowboy Productions will be a big part of it. This video in particular I wrote in a way that was as pretentious as I could make it and I would rather strip it back. The audio sucks too.

[@kennethmyrez]

this is more relevant today than it was when this movie came out

[@yianna147]

100%

[@saintmugler777]

He broke the first rule

[@rodipit5318]

And the second one

[@HookedOnFishingTV]

Do anarchist ever follow rules?

[@RussellHilliard-o8c]

😂😂

[@Ayoalow_34]

The first two rules are meant to be broken

[@mymindisdigital]

Get his balls.

[@SweetiePieBu]

I'm Jack's wasted life

[@CM_684]

I'm Jack's smirking revenge

[@Kino_pup]

I’m jacks sense of overwhelming worthlessness

[@BTKYG]

I'm Jack's den of apathetic isolation

[@autisticguy4764]

I am Jacks raging bile duct

[@amaurys93]

“Finally some good f*cking food” = my general impression of finding this channel - thank you for sharing these well written video essays.

[@trevorrain]

Fight club is one of the greatest movies ever . The amount of messages this movie has is absolutely incredible. Thank you for your videos never stop doing them!

[@christianburrzGR3Y]

Your views on the modern internet and social media is spot on. I wish smart phones weren't so accessible for so much bullshit in the world. I can't even focus on my own life bcuz I'm addicted to scrolling and even tho it gives me anxiety I still can't control it bcuz it's so easy to get caught up

[@TheKingWhoWins]

No doubt

[@TribuneAquila]

The old Marxist theory of ideology "they know not what they do, and they do it anyway" is clearly incorrect. We know perfectly well what we do, and we all do it anyway.

[@DrearySnow]

God, I cannot put into words how bloody refreshing this video essay was. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@petervanrensburg687]

Such a good insight. I've watched FC more than any movie ever, starting in '99. At that age I was 16, not having even finished high school and due to this I saw what was in store for me, i.e working jobs you hate, following the predictable path of getting married, having kids and getting into debt like a worker slave. Now here 25 years later I can tell you, the movie was prophetic. There's a lot that that I didn't realize about myself until now, and how it parallels the movie. Maybe I was set off by the movie, realizing the pointlessness of being worker/career slave in the future, but your analysis of the film has brought new meaning, and reflectance. Thank you!

[@trevorrain]

You explained this movie so well and pointed out things I never noticed before

[@osamabin911wascool]

Has anyone who comments "hurr you broke the first rule duuurrr" even watched the movie? HE WANTED THEM TO BREAK THE RULE HE WAS BUILDING AN ARMY. What makes people want to do something more than anything else? Telling them not to do it. The rules is just further social manipulation from Tyler.

[@andersstage1266]

Hi there. Love your videos. This one too. I find your insights very enlightening. I look forward to the next.

[@padosmint6273]

Great video. This is the second video I've seen from you, and I have to say, you've got me hooked. As for Fight Club itself, I often found myself falling into a strange spiral after watching it. However, I wouldn't say it was exactly despair, but rather a spiral of emptiness and questioning everything around me that I had believed in up until that point. Tyler's line: 'We work jobs we hate, to buy things we don’t need, to impress people we don’t like' still resonates with me, and it gets stronger every time I hear it again. I must say, though, that thanks to this video (and the fact that I haven’t read the book until now), I was able to connect certain points that created a beautiful whole for me. Thank you, and definitely keep going.

[@estabon345]

You are a super smart person, and you have a gift for explanation. This is one of my favorite movies but I didn't understand it deeply enough until you enlightened me. Thank you!

[@theLowestPointInMyLife]

You can look up any number of interpretations of movies, books etc, and theyre all effectively meaningless and subjective, people with too much time on their hands look for metaphors and hidden meaning that most of the time dont exist or werent intentional by the creator. Its a classic human thing, if you look for something, you will find it whether its there or not. I personally take movies at face value and as a brief escape from reality, although its rare these days I find something remotely worth watching, 2019 was probably the last decent year with Knives Out, Joker and Parasite.

[@420jettt2]

@@theLowestPointInMyLifeur fun at parties

[@sickdirtbag]

no kidding

[@PlayerOfGames23]

Holy glazer

[@RoccocoVs]

Your video on Taxi Driver was a very well written piece and made me subscribe. Watching this video now has me hopeful and optimistic for your growth.

[@gjkb52ddxyeah]

Literally subbed 2 seconds after you called Logan Paul a snake oil salesman.

[@TsutajyaVlard]

Your Videos are great. Right now im also going through a stage where i can relate to the characters from both fight Club and Taxi driver. Im 20 starting my way into worklife and now i live apart from home with other people my age. Although im a confident Person with alot of friends i often feel alone since i cant be with these friends apart from the weekends. Although i have few girls friends and im not shy I have to control myself not to obsess over and annoy girls that i like when i decide they would be worth the time and effort since i dont have an outlet for my romantic feelings. Im in therapy and doing good but the New stage in my life also brought new Problems and your channel is rly talking to ppl in a similar situation

[@MansplainingMovies]

I have been like this too throughout my recent years, it's normal. Much better to acknowledge it and work through it than use it as fuel for some hate for the world like many do

[@TsutajyaVlard]

@@MansplainingMovies its been going for long now but its always paid off to not stop and search for easy fixes instead

[@lironfeldman-ko2ie]

ur good bro, just keep working out, maybe start a business in the side and invest money in yourself with online courses from people you aspire to be like. One thing that is important is a lot of people save money their whole life. I belive we should spend money and spend it on ourselves, our skills and invest in mentors, think about it, if you have a mentor that tells you exactly how to get where you want to be it's priceless, and it's not that expensive, much less than a degree or whatever

[@J3assbox]

I found a gem of a channel.

[@LumbyMcGumby]

The algorithm exposed me to this channel and it's a good one

[@riamuEight]

I will never not find it funny (and a little sad) that the people, whose mindsets these films (Fight Club, American Psycho, Taxi Driver) are mocking or critiquing, use these characters as icons. Like, does Tyler Durden seem happy to you? Does Patrick Bateman's life really seem that appealing?

[@abhijithjithu3101]

Happiness is a trap. Suffering is the answer. Who is happy all the time anyways

[@ravioliravioliravi]

I agree. I laughed a few times throughout fight club at the absurdity of it.

[@ThirtytwoJ]

Why would you want happiness..

[@ravioliravioliravi]

@@ThirtytwoJ why wouldn’t you?

[@ThirtytwoJ]

@@ravioliravioliravi silly child.

[@Julian_LewisDig]

This was so much better than the movie to be honest. I don’t really understand the movie quite like you did but holy shit this kind of got me out of my funk. I’ve been going day by day, scrolling social media not knowing how to break free I’m currently sitting at my desk typing this, thank you for helping me escape

[@croissant1249]

You are incredible mate

[@BigToeRang]

absolutely fantastic video here brother. love it

[@DavidMendoza-id3xt]

Tbh I’ve only watched two of your videos. But the way you dissect and converse about these topics in the movie. While also giving and comparing, These topics on present time events and personal experience. 👏🏽 truly amazing

[@Tobithemfemperor]

Bro you've been on point with all these videos

[@NoPunchline]

2 hours before this video was uploaded I was looking at your uploads to see if you covered this movie yet lol

[@MansplainingMovies]

i was meaning to make this video for a while but i had a busy month since my last upload

[@dudenoway5448]

Wow I just found your channel, and I gotta say this is fantastic stuff. Your takes are nuanced and separate from the culture war, while still acknowledging it, its ideas and effects. This is also a great analysis of fight club. I appreciated the way you blended it with your personal perspective to illustrate the points too. Subscribed, can’t wait to see more bro!

[@mudblood.6323]

I’m so glad i found this channel

[@Retiredmagician1]

Another great video. On a small note, I feel the background music could have been a little quieter at parts in relation to your voice. Otherwise, great work; as long as you're consistent, I could see this channel blowing up.

[@georgedapro9377]

Really great video, its good to be aware commercialisation has on your subconscious. Just nice to think about that one

[@nonamegonzalez5711]

thanks for distorting the music @ around 6:12. nice touch.

[@DragyxCZ]

You are right. We are responsible for the way we respond to the world around us. No matter how bad or unfair it is, at the end of the day it's our reaction to it that matters. I think it's okay to express our feelings of the world being unfair or seeming like it's heading down a dark path, if we don't voice those concerns we may let the world spiral out of control even more. But as individuals we can't change the world, we can only change the way we react to it and make the best out of it. To find a way to live and be happy and to not to fall into a pit of missery, because the world doesnt workout as we were promised or as we deserve. It's sad and rough truth, but everyone of us needs to keep going and find a way that allows us to live in peace. Stepping away from social media that makes us miserable, quiting jobs that we hate and leave us empty and distancing us from people that hurt us and only use us for their own benefit.

[@JawncoreIL]

Discovered you thanks to the 'ol algorithm - lucky me! Just finished this and your Taxi Driver vids. Love your analyses, man! Keep 'em coming! easy sub

[@QuartuvLarry]

Damn, this was a brilliant analysis!

[@RossPlunkett]

Love your channel, this is my favorite one yet

[@Realityseeker4.0]

This channel deserves more than a million subs!

[@aricwilliams6492]

Man this video is honestly amazing. I always have tried to stay away from groups or labeling myself a certain way especially on the internet. I see people get too wrapped up in taking a side. Even when they think it's moral. Not everything is black and white. Amazing breakdown

[@ptreznov240]

Ur my new favorite British person

[@dragonslayer1318]

It never occurred to me that Tyler was wearing Mara's robe until I saw this video XD I had just thought the robe looked comfy af everytime I watched the movie lol

[@bleedthefreak100]

Great video! You make a lot of great points

[@rvre]

Great video btw Having fun in a cheap car drifting with your buddies isn’t a great source. Thanks for the video, it’s extremely relevant for me as it too was one of those films that shaped me teenage years without fully understanding it yet knowing there was more to it than the at the time fun fight scenes. I’m a lonely guy that used to have so many friends or was popular in high school just because of the fact that I had material things and was considered attractive to the local culture. I try my best to understand that life is life but finding that goal to work for is what I’m seeing as impossible or a mistake. I feel like it’s normal to want to be a part of something obviously we used to be in tribes of like 8-50 always but finding a healthy group to be a part of is key, one that doesn’t just want to milk you for your resources or unite you to hate.

[@Rachiuwu]

Movie motivated me to join boxing club and going to the gym

[@Aceinine]

A very insightful point about the value of aesthetics and our inate ability to see past it, deeply influencing our perceptions of individuals and the standards we passively set as a society.

[@TheBossFighterz]

I absolutely love this video and your channel. Your Taxi Driver video was a big inspiration for my most popular video and your overall essay style has greatly influenced the way I analyse and write for my videos. Thank you so much for the content you post on this channel, and I'd love to possibly colab with you on a future project if you're interested. Have a wonderful day and never break the first rule again 🤣

[@MansplainingMovies]

Thank you! I had a look at your channel. The thumbnails are great! I'm a huge Arkham fan, Arkham City is a top 5 favourite game of mine. I will do a video 1 day talking about the missed potential of Batman movies, I love Batman and the movies are good but I always felt the true potential of Batman in the past 20 years has only been reached with the Arkham games

[@shanebrown6070]

Nice work man. Thank you

[@masobe99]

keep uploading bro

[@MansplainingMovies]

i will come back with a bang soon, i have been busy with personal things

[@jayylad38]

wish i could show this to everyone ever

[@danton7674]

Really great, enjoyed This and the Taxi Driver one, keep it up

[@deathgobbler4774]

btw, I like one interpretation I've heard someday sometime about how Fight Club's Narrator isn't actually Jack but Tyler but I can't tell y'all yet.

[@christianburrzGR3Y]

The opening scene here is my life

[@jacezaler6413]

This movie could release today and still be relevant.

[@redaalami8139]

Keep it up bro

[@아기돼지-x8u]

turn down the volume of the song man, i paused the video and was about to stop the music playing on other tab in order to hear something before i realized that it was actually the video itself

[@MansplainingMovies]

I can't do anything about it now unfortunately, on my headphones and speakers it sounds fine, different sound systems and settings play it differently though

[@아기돼지-x8u]

@@MansplainingMovies i actually just meant for the future videos

[@Wujo.apizz36]

My eyes still aren't open

[@Sir-u2d]

Let's all watch fight club tonight

[@grevenskaffemugg]

Fantastic video❤

[@godstomper]

He's more a psychopath than a sociopath

[@margaridarodrigues3834]

Great analysis!

[@FilmThePoliceFTP]

This isn’t anarchism, it’s chaos. Anarchy means no rulers not no rules. Now, one could say that anarchism will bring about chaos (that having no “rule”makers (rulers) would bring about chaos, but that’s only because of humanity’s inability or absolute refusal to see what’s right (by not doing to others that which you would not have done to you) and always make the right choices… (by respecting RIGHTS… respecting RIGHTS is the RIGHT thing to do because a right is an action that does not create a victim, but I digress lol) but the etymology of the word anarchy actually means no rulers.

[@MansplainingMovies]

Yes, I feel the intent of the character's chaos definitely came from a more anarchic way of living though. Life under project mayhem you can say only had about 10 rules where you can say life in a real society has an endless amount of rules to abide by

[@hairyhippotesticles9761]

@@MansplainingMoviesanarchism is a specific ideology with a specific end goal in mind. An anarchist society is the same as a communist one, classless moneyless and stateless society, just without the middle steps of the dictatorship of the proletariat state and socialism. There would still be rules but they’d be enforced by the community for the community rather than the current judicial system which is inherently biased toward the ruling class. Also wanted to say i am not by any means an anarchist that’s just my explanation of the ideology.

[@Caylynmillard]

Brilliant

[@chadwickpainter8212]

You're pretty cool. Another one well done.

[@JawsFG_]

Great video and summary. A little question: Any chance you know about Stoicism? YOur talk about responding to the world and you are in control how you respond to that world is very stoic. And I just noticed it since I'm a stoic practitioner as well ^_^

[@MansplainingMovies]

I'm aware of it but not particularly a practitioner. With movies I talk about like Fight Club and Taxi Driver I feel it's very common for people in the fanbase to use these movies to validate their insecurities and their negative outlook on life, and I do think stoic ideas should be encouraged to counteract that. Masculinity and stoicism for so long have gone hand in hand yet I feel men today have become very weak minded, so many whining over little things and get offended over meaningless words. When talking of these movies I feel it necessary to relate things to the fandom and I'd like to direct these kind of fans to an alternate mindset which you can say is a very stoic mindset

[@DreamScape39]

He broke the first rule.

[@MrSwaggtastic]

I only watched this movie once, the same day I watched Blow for the first and only time. I took way too many edibles and the only thing I remember from either movie is from blow where Depp's character is in the motel and the guy said "I stole your California connection."

[@WasteFaced]

I don't think the getting beat up by the boss plan actually worked. I think he just got fired.

[@mememarketing6884]

Damn I feel completely the same about people who hate the idea of making any effort, a lot of those in blackpill community. Its just self destructive and at the end just leads to you being miserable. But it's convenient to just say "much my genes", "much my autisim (self-diagnosted, often)" and so on instead of making any effort.

[@crazyrr144]

yeah and what have you done?

[@pdigit010]

Great comment I agree You are very so young Keep it on :)

[@DreamScape39]

I'm Jack's wasted life.

[@knightfox429]

Hey man love the videos if there is one thing that bothers me it might be that the music is a bit too loud and distracting I think it could have the same effect if it was a little lower

[@MansplainingMovies]

i made a mistake on that, I should've fixed it at the time but reuploading is a bit of a pain when you need to appeal copyright, I may be doing improved versions of these videos next year as i will be very active on uploads in 2025

[@juliannabacklund7143]

Please make video like this from American beauty. I love your content❤

[@J.Strantz]

Hey! Hey... his name was Robert Paulson.

[@yourbestfriendnobody]

What i find sad is as a man myself and also a gen z, i was lonely at some point but i didn't blame others but i feel like nowadays the idea of a "sigma male" that was popularized by fake millionaire influencers or lunatics like Andrew Tate corrupted the mind of ppl, i have a beautiful gf who i support and she support me as well but i'm no sigma male, i ain't confident in everything, istill doubt myself, i'm not muscular and yes i'm tall but i'm not rich either. You don't need to be something to feel less lonely or you don't need a philosophy like tyler in fight club if you feel hopeless in society. Shit are bad yes but having a self destructive behavior like they have in the movie isn't gonna help you bc in the end you'll still be empty

[@juststop5768]

wish i saw this on a Friday

[@wyattjelinek]

This is wild

[@possums154]

he broke the first rule

[@Maryjane3115]

I wish I could articulate how much I enjoy your videos. I hope you continue to grow your channel and keep making content. Check out the book “Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging”. It’s a short read but I sincerely believe you would enjoy it.

[@Don_Ram]

Whats the story behind soap ?

[@IncoGnito-ji5du]

Mf say "narrator" 1 more time. I dare you. I double dare you.

[@CoffeeTableZ]

Are there any newer good movies like this that give a good message?

[@RoachCatJr]

The Emoji Movie

[@bullard1707]

Put some ambient music perhaps. A 30 min garage band loop is brutal

[@ThirtytwoJ]

Most people obviously never been punched in the mouth, and it shows.

[@miarivera_]

Please make a video on the professional 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@grinder5000314483]

Next video??

[@MansplainingMovies]

I'm doing a video on the movie This Is England and some other things. I've been busy with a creative project outside of youtube and this has kept me away from uploading. My comeback should be ready next week and from there I'll be uploading regularly

[@grinder5000314483]

@@MansplainingMovies nice yea I like your vids I watch that buffalo movie super good thx looking forward to the next break down

[@BIacklce]

I love being 14 and deep af

[@lkucare]

4:01 to 5:24. As a american. You could have not said that better.

[@jiri6691]

Its too bad you did not delve more into it. You just recapped the movie, something a lot of YT essayists struggle with. :/ You obviously have something to say so it's a pity that there were not that much in this one.

[@Foreignone12]

I agree. He should’ve dove deeper into it with his own POV and personal experiences. Not hating or anything, just what came to mind as I was watching the video. Other than that, I love and respect the channel.

[@flashdr1ve]

this is some good criticism right here

[@thebois32]

golden mean fallacy; its not inherently good to just watch on the sidelines, seeming to be better than anyone who would bother to pick a side. Just because there are two sides doesn't mean that every side is equally wrong and being neutral is the best way. you dont have to completely agree and support every other person supporting some of your ideals.

[@killerx9009]

For me in context of what your saying, both sides have points that are irrevocably against what I believe in that I refuse to choose regardless of what ever points do align with my own sensibilities

[@JGSfilmss]

Man how do you capture footage for your videos?

[@mustangjoe2066]

People ask me what's the truth in life🤔,i say simply watch fight 💥🎥🎞📽💥club,the truth is inside that movie💯✔,if you got anymore questions after you watch it,watch it again 💥❤💥💯

[@Cookedfrfrfr]

Please lower the background music. I can barely hear you at times.

[@MansplainingMovies]

I made a mistake on the audio. It can be dependent on what you use to listen, I'd reccomend headphones. On my speakers and headphones it sounds fine

[@HugoBossOffiziell]

​@@Cookedfrfrfrbum

[@ErnestNascimento]

Hello man, I think the music's a bit too loud. But cool ass vid !

[@evamiezs6801]

Great video, please change the music

[@MansplainingMovies]

i'm working on it

[@Natobot9000]

Awesome video! IMO kill the duche music and volume. Please!! I'm not trying to be a dick! I remember this movie as one if my favorites! I had to watch it 3 times to get the point. Funny thing is I remember watching it the first time with my childhood friends and they thought it was gay...lol

[@MansplainingMovies]

I'm planning a reupload with improved audio

[@Natobot9000]

Awesome wonderful work!! One of the best explanations of this wonderful cult classic!! Thank you!

[@BrandonGraham-d4q]

Haters goan hate!!! Awesome content!!

[@ConnorO778877]

Feedback - your Taxi Driver appeared to be more of an analysis of a misunderstood movie, this seems to be a cheap narration of the movie, with little insight into your evident strong insight into the points of the movie. This might happen later, but I lost interest. You are intelligent and I’d rather have your take in a shorter format, rather than an obvious narrator of what the film already does a good job explaining. Hope this is well received. Happy to help with pacing if you need.

[@MansplainingMovies]

I appreciate this comment, comments like this is what having a comment section is all about. I do actually plan to reupload an improved version of all my videos as I do know I can do better. I didn't enjoy making this video much and I do think it's because I was more focused on going over the whole movie than simply talking of the theme which I do think is my strong suit. I have been planning a return to regular uploads and improved versions of my videos will come with it. My channel is quite fresh, I only have 8 uploads, I am still at a point where I'm figuring things out, with the Taxi Driver remaining as the stand out of my channel still, I've also noticed myself in my time away from uploading consistently what made that video work better than my others 🙏

[@ConnorO778877]

@@MansplainingMovies May I suggest American Beauty as a potential next video? Very unique themes, definitely sparks modern day masculinity notes, could be really cool

[@MansplainingMovies]

I have a few other videos lined up next but I will definitely make an American Beauty video soon

[@SuperPenguin5495]

you gotta lower the Backround music dude

[@DanielWeinreb-vc6et]

You missed the central theme of Fight Club: it's a homoerotic allegory for a closeted gay man. Chuck Palahniuk is gay, and spent his 20's very conflicted about it.

[@Sahil99413]

i think you should lower the music ,its very nice and moody but a little too loud

[@MansplainingMovies]

I'm planning a reupload soon which will have lowered audio 🙏

[@SatireNGiggles]

"Nobody has the power to change the world." Please expand on this argument. Otherwise you lost me completely. We might have contradictory philosophy

[@crabking9215]

Good video and I liked the taxi driver one but the political crybabies thing was idk. what are you getting at with it? thanks

[@MansplainingMovies]

Too many people whining about pseudo political concepts, left and right propaganda is out there and it has made people fragile and divided. It's all a way for media to distract normal people from living normal comfortable lives.

[@crabking9215]

@@MansplainingMovies I guess I understand was just confused on the hasan clips cause it seems like he talks about worker's rights and you know like palestinian lives. I get what you're saying but those things are important. but I concede that sometimes he has to talk about stupid shit when its slow but idk tbh thanks for explaining

[@MansplainingMovies]

Hasan talks about important things but he also profits off it heavily which I'm not a fan of. If it was so important to him he would do it for free I think. I think all political "influencers" are emotionally and financially driven in the way they conduct themselves. These people I think care more about others thinking the same as them over anything, they all seem pretty narcissistic