1075 - The Bennington Caliphate feat. Josh Olson (9/28/26)
Summary
Chapo Trap House dissects the Daily Wire film *Infidels*, mocking its incoherent plot and the bizarre absence of star Jonathan Majors, who appears for only five minutes due to a stunt injury. The hosts critique the movie’s transparent propaganda, noting that the "Shia ISIS" villains merely recite Ben Shapiro’s talking points while the college student protagonists are portrayed as one-dimensional caricatures. They argue the film fails as action cinema because the creators genuinely wish harm upon the "liberal" characters, rendering the stakes meaningless. The episode also touches on the film…
Topics discussed
Intro: Bond reference and 'Run, Hide, Fight Infidels' premise
Guest introduction and Daily Wire Studios context
Production controversy and stunt injuries
Jonathan Majors' performance and absence in the film
Comparison to classic right-wing action schlock
Critique of propaganda and lack of humanism
Character dialogue and confused ideological messaging
Villains as necessary evil and audience investment
Plot analysis: Mogadishu opening and college setting
Character tropes: The fake veteran and the reporter
Racism and PTSD characterization inconsistencies
David Lucas's performance and 'Kill Tony' reference
The 'Mahdi' subplot and Jonathan Majors' disappearance
Satire vs. sincerity: The 'Blazing Saddles' defense
Romantic subplots and character relationships
Great Replacement theory and demographic claims
Music budget and Stone Temple Pilots usage
Racial politics, pregnant woman scene, and police inaction
The climax: Helicopter scene and execution logic
Action choreography and Arnold Schwarzenegger comparison
Natalism, sex slavery, and Iranian connections
The 'non-gutless' version: Jewish student narrative
Oscar snubs and Daily Wire media strategy
Future sequels: Army Hammer and Bluey comparisons
Animal rights tangents and Miss Rachel character
Children's entertainment and Mel Gibson legacy
Conclusion: The decline of modern action movies
Reacher season discussion and character dynamics
Tom Cruise and producer anecdotes
Outro: Upcoming shows and Patreon content
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