Charli XCX's 'Brat' movie marks a significant moment in the evolution of cinematic satire, or perhaps its decline. The mockumentary, once a brilliant and innovative narrative device, now seems to be struggling to find its footing in the modern film landscape. The article delves into the reasons behind this perceived stagnation, exploring the creative decline of the mockumentary genre and its reflection of the broader documentary landscape. It examines the works of legendary directors like Christopher Guest and Rob Reiner, whose films brought a unique air of verisimilitude to the genre. However, the recent crop of mockumentaries, including 'Brat' and 'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues', fails to match the staying power of these classics. The piece also highlights the creative stagnation of the documentary genre, where celebrity-oriented projects often feel more like legacy-building exercises than anything else. It argues that the mockumentary's decline mirrors the creative decline of the documentary itself, with high-profile celeb cameos often taking precedence over substance. The article further explores the debasement of the genre by figures like Matt Walsh, whose 'Am I Racist?' is a sub-Borat DEI takedown that panders to the audience's existing beliefs rather than offering anything new. However, the piece also offers a glimmer of hope for the mockumentary, citing small, scrappy projects like 'Rap World' and 'Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie' as examples of how the genre can still be revitalized. These films, made on shoestring budgets outside the Hollywood machine, remind us that the mockumentary is not dead, but it desperately needs some new blood to breathe life back into the genre.
