WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!

Fight Club is a 1999 psychological thriller directed by David Fincher, starring Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter, and Brad Pitt. It follows the corporate life of the materialistic Narrator (played by Norton), who is a recall coordinator for a car company and is displeased with his life.

The Narrator is an insomniac whose deteriorating mental state is slowly consuming him. While working a corporate job that follows the same, repetitive routine, he joins various support groups meant for people with physical diseases, as a remedy for his lack of sleep. Everything is going well until he meets Marla Singer (Bonham Carter), another non-genuine member, who seems to be dealing with many life struggles. And eventually we meet the wrongly-praised soap salesman, Tyler Durden (Pitt).

If you’ve ever seen Fight Club, you already know that Tyler is a figment of the Narrator’s imagination, a figure that has emerged from his restless mind. Any trait that he lacks, Tyler makes up for it. He is worshipped as a leader who will guide the members of Fight Club to find individuality. 

How true is this leadership, though?

Tyler Durden acts as a reckless guide who has strict beliefs regarding conformity, consumerism, capitalism and authority. During a philosophical conversation with the Narrator at a bar, Tyler delivers one of his most famous statements: “The things that you own end up owning you.” This is referring to the protagonist’s obsession with materialistic objects over individuality. 

Later in the parking lot outside of the bar, Tyler challenges the Narrator to punch him in the face as hard as he can. What appears to be a one-time swing turns into occasional fights outside the designated bar. Clearly, this attracts men who seek to drown out their sorrowful lives, resulting in the formation of Fight Club.

The members of Fight Club must follow these rules:

1. You do not talk about Fight Club.
2. You DO NOT talk about Fight Club.
3. If someone yells “stop”, goes limp or taps out, the fight is over.
4. Only two guys to a fight.
5. One fight at a time.
6. No shirts, no shoes.
7. Fights will go on as long as they have to.
8. If this is your first night at Fight Club, you have to fight.

While he may appear to be a benevolent facilitator who is providing a service for unhappy men, Tyler is the definition of a corrupt leader. He lives in a broken-down house, where he accommodates the members of his rebel group. Every member is required to shave their head and wear black clothing, leaving no distinction between one subject to the next. Conformity is the first idea disdained by Tyler, but it is the first one that everyone must follow.

Fight Club introduces us to Project Mayhem, and Tyler’s ultimate goal is to protect masculinity and individuality from the corruption of the American system. His character’s actions contradict his statements earlier in the story, because Project Mayhem involves destroying corporate buildings with explosives. But who carries these orders out? His brainwashed followers.

David Fincher’s purpose with this film was to challenge opinions on Tyler’s existence. The character is a negligent man created in the dangerous mind of the Narrator. He sets up chapters of Project Mayhem around America to carry out his plan. These chapters reflect the very corporate franchises that establish the majority of what we consume, which the Narrator negatively speaks about in his opening monologue.

Fincher also portrays the consequences of toxic masculinity, which has sparked debates across social media and the film community. In one particular scene inside Tyler’s home, he and the Narrator discuss their upsetting relationships with their families, specifically their fathers, who have played huge roles in shaping their lives.

Of course, every action by Tyler Durden is actually completed by the Narrator without his conscious awareness. This is essentially the plot twist of the film, as Durden clouds his judgment, and soon enough controls what he thinks, he feels, and he does. With every passing day, the Narrator aligns his views on modern society with Tyler’s, following in his footsteps and watching chaos unravel around him.

In addition, the constant presence of Marla Singer as Tyler’s (and the Narrator’s) “romantic” partner shines a light on the complicated lives of both men and the women who try to show them affection. In fact, Marla is the only female figure present in the whole film, which further pushes the main theme of the detrimental aspect of masculinity. 

How can the Narrator maintain a relationship with Marla Singer when he can’t even maintain the state of his mind? As complicated as their interactions are, Marla is the only genuine stranger that crosses paths with him.

Fight Club is considered to this day as one of the greatest mind-bending films of all time. Despite its struggle to find an audience during its initial release, it has grown to be a thought-provoking piece of art that is appreciated by many. It’s a powerful message, combined with an artistic style that has evolved into a fan favourite.

Sadly, the characters of this film are glorified by a lot of fans, but their glamorization goes against the very message of the movie. Tyler is a recurring idol to people in this age, but ironically, they are living examples of what the film is arguing against.

But if you enjoy Fight Club, or are interested in watching it, consider viewing other projects by David Fincher, such as Gone Girl and Se7en. You should also check out other psychological, mind-bending thrillers, like Memento and The Machinist.