In an era of intense political division and confusion, media and art have become powerful tools in public perception of conflicts and controversies. So far, 2026 has produced multiple movies with political relevance and has many more on the horizon. Camas High School (CHS) students have shared their opinions on both the importance and potential drawbacks of political commentary in art. 

Movies such as Mercy, The Drama, and Project Hail Mary have already been released in 2026, some of which causing harsh public responses due to their references to current events and political controversies. On deck, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, The Odyssey, and Dune: Part III are set to release later this year.

Before diving into the cinematic year ahead, 2025 deserves its flowers for its productions, one of the frontrunners being Wicked: For Good. The Wicked duology concluded in 2025, following the smashing success of the first movie in 2024. The Wizard of Oz, the universe in which Wicked takes place, has been recognized as a political allegory for the 1890s Populist movements. Although the Populist era is long deceased, Wicked was written as a prequel for the Wizard of Oz, and takes a much more relative political stance. 

Wicked: Part I sets up the story, while Wicked: For Good unveils a complex battle against a charismatic leader, an authoritarian regime, and systematic oppression. Critics have commented on the ironic timing of the duology’s release lining up with the change in leadership in the United States (U.S.) and the rise of deportations through Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Projects like the Wizard of Oz and Wicked universe matter to the power of representative media because they demonstrate how there is always material to draw upon. 

“I don’t think political conflict is going anywhere,” Declan Lenihan, CHS senior, said. “I don’t think that’s necessarily a good or bad thing, I just think it’s constant. I think it’s there in the real world for the same reason it’s present in the media.” 

Following the duology’s success in 2024 and 2025, 2026 has been churning out productions full of allegory, symbolism, and commentary. The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, was released on April 3, 2026. The movie took a unique perspective on gun violence, specifically in schools, by moving the perspective off the potential victims and onto the potential perpetrator. Its main character describes a time in her life in which she suffered severe mental health issues and almost executed a planned school shooting as a result. The movie follows her in adulthood after she has learned to put her past behind her and make up for her actions. 

The Drama received very mixed reviews, many of which condemned Zendaya for participating in it. It received a much lower rating on Rotten Tomatoes than anticipated, demonstrating the power of political context and tackling uncomfortable topics. As of 2025, school shootings are being recorded at a record high, making it an incredibly relevant and important topic in the court of public opinion. Although the message of this film is very targeted messaging and less of symbolic allegory, it still stands as an example of how art connects to current events and its impact on the audiences. 

“Artists have the right to any political message they want, but they also have to be prepared for people not to accept that message if it’s something they disagree with,” Greggory Plitt, CHS AP United States Government teacher, said.  

“When you have the ability to make people uncomfortable through art, I think it’s really important because it means you’ve struck something that makes them feel something and they can reflect on why it matters so much,” Olivia Steele, CHS senior, said. 

Furthermore, The Hunger Games and Dune are both set to introduce new movies into their respective sagas in late 2026. Both franchises are known for their political significance, and stand to make an even bigger impact in the U.S. in 2026, considering the current issues at hand. The Hunger Games is a commonly recognized example of political corruption, oppression, and the power of state-controlled media. Much of the plot revolves around how the corrupt political system portrays and twists the citizens’ suffering into something that is not only acceptable, but entertaining.

This dystopian world has recently been referenced in the U.S current political climate, especially regarding President Donald Trump’s proposed “Patriot Games.”  In late 2025, Trump announced his plans to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a nationwide competition, set to begin in fall 2026. Not much is known about the proposed “Patriot Games” — or their legitimacy — other than that they were announced to take place in the fall (not long before the release of Sunrise on the Reaping) and have participants from each state in between the ages of fourteen and seventeen. 

“I think it’s important especially for young children to learn about this stuff, which I know is controversial because people feel like children are too impressionable,” Casey Leach, CHS senior, said. “It’s important for them to feel like their actions can make a difference in their world.”

“What I love about dystopian books and movies is that it’s almost always centered around a young person standing up for what they believe in and I think that’s important for children to see,” Leach said. 

Finally, Dune: Part III will complete the Dune cinematic trilogy which are known warnings of charismatic leadership, authoritarian theocracies, and mob mentality. Governments across the world, such as Russia, are currently feeling the impacts of charismatic leadership and authoritarian regimes. The completion of the Dune franchise on the screens could not come at a more ironic time, considering the current conflicts with the theocracies in the Middle East and the impacts of Russia’s authoritarian leadership.

Interpretation of political messages is handed over to the audiences the second a movie is released. However, recent political conflicts have provided producers, writers, and directors with more than enough concepts to tackle, creating many opportunities to impact audiences through political messaging, symbolism, and allegory.