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Hillbilly Elegy has become more popular on Netflix after Donald Trump picked J.D. Vance as his Vice President. The movie, made by Ron Howard in 2020, is about Vance's life and his book that sold really well. Suddenly, more people started watching it.
Prior to this, Vance was known for his memoir about growing up in Appalachia, but the announcement made on July 15 pushed the movie to be the sixth most-watched on Netflix. The boost in viewership came amid a chilling attempt on the Republican presidential candidate's life.
The return of Hillbilly Elegy to the Netflix top 10 is a rare feat for an original film on the platform. Even though the movie, featuring Glenn Close who received an Oscar nomination for her role, initially had a significant run upon its release in November 2020, it quickly faded away. Unlike other Netflix movies that see a resurgence after an award nomination, Hillbilly Elegy didn't return until now, long after its Oscar buzz had died down.
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J.D. Vance’s vice presidential nomination sparks unexpected Hillbilly Elegy's surge on Netflix
Interestingly, the resurgence of Hillbilly Elegy seems to be a natural outcome of the political announcement rather than Netflix's promotional efforts. The movie found its way back to the spotlight without any direct link being made in most news reports between Vance's VP nomination and the film.
Nonetheless, Vance's book and its adaptation have now found themselves at the intersection of politics and entertainment, sparking renewed interest among viewers.
The underlying reason for this newfound attention could be rooted in Vance's own political journey. Initially an outspoken critic of Trump, Vance's stance shifted dramatically towards support, a transformation that was completed by his Senate run in Ohio in 2022.
The film's poor reviews, perceived by Vance as a dismissal by the elite, played a pivotal role in his reevaluation of his political beliefs.
Also read: JD Vance's Hillbilly Elegy: Complete list of cast in the movie
Hillbilly Elegy gains popularity with Vance’s politics
Even though the movie version received mixed reviews, Vance's book has been highly praised. It gave a detailed and caring look into a community that is frequently misunderstood or ignored by the larger society. The difference shows how books and movies can affect us differently when they deal with complicated social and cultural issues.
The resurgence of Hillbilly Elegy on Netflix, driven by Vance's entry into the political arena, speaks volumes about the crossover between political movements and cultural consumption. As a film that had largely receded from public view finds its second wind, it prompts a reflection on how political landscapes can shape our engagement with art and media.
Also read: 5 chilling details you didn’t know about JD Vance of Hillbilly Elegy
Following the announcement of J.D. Vance as Donald Trump's vice presidential pick, the Netflix viewership of Hillbilly Elegy experienced an astonishing increase. The film's watching minutes soared by 1,179 percent, translating to approximately 164,000 views in just one day.
Additionally, despite the film receiving critical reviews upon its release, its resurgence underscores the lasting impact of Vance's memoir and the story it tells of a segment of American society.
