Between a politically turbulent period and the increasing prominence of artificial intelligence, 2025 saw a surge in Hollywood depictions of the “tech bro” archetype. These characters, often portrayed as self-absorbed and jargon-laden, became central figures—and frequent villains—in films ranging from blockbusters to comedies.
Hollywood’s Tech Bro Takeover
This trend manifested in several high-profile releases. Stanley Tucci appeared in Netflix’s The Electric State as Ethan Skate, the creator of a technology that led to widespread virtual reality addiction, delivering lines like, “Our world is a tyre fire floating on an ocean of piss.” Nicholas Hoult played Lex Luthor in Superman, a character driven by a desire for recognition and willing to manipulate social media with “vivisected monkey cyborgs” to discredit his rivals. The film itself sparked debate about “perceived wokeness,” adding another layer to the narrative.
Even comedic portrayals offered commentary on this archetype. Jemaine Clement’s character in M3gan 2.0, Alton Appleton, a billionaire pushing unwanted neural implants, found a darkly humorous end when his technology was hacked and his prosthetic six-pack detached. Danny Huston, in the reboot of The Naked Gun, played Richard Cane, a character obsessed with men’s sperm counts and building bunkers for the wealthy.
Skewering the Biohacking Trend
Kevin Bacon’s portrayal of Bob Garbinger in The Toxic Avenger reboot offered a pointed critique of the biohacking movement, referencing figures like Bryan Johnson, who actively pursues methods to reverse aging. Evan Peters, having recently played Jeffrey Dahmer in a 2022 Netflix series, took on the role of a “nepo baby” tech huckster in Tron: Ares, whose 3D-printed war machines proved ultimately useless.
Jesse Armstrong’s Mountainhead took the trend to its extreme, populating its cast entirely with reprehensible billionaires grappling with a potential global crisis. Cory Michael Smith’s character, a social media mogul spreading AI-augmented misinformation, embodied the detached and amoral attitude often associated with tech industry leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of characters were popular in films during 2025?
Films in 2025 frequently featured characters embodying the “tech bro” archetype – self-regarding, jargon-spouting digital visionaries, often portrayed as villains or figures of satire.
What film featured a character obsessed with men’s sperm counts?
Danny Huston’s character, Richard Cane, in the reboot of The Naked Gun, was described as being obsessed with men’s sperm counts and building luxury bunkers.
Which film featured a character whose technology led to widespread virtual reality addiction?
Stanley Tucci played Ethan Skate in The Electric State, whose “neurocaster” technology led to a population addicted to virtual reality.
As the cinematic landscape continues to evolve, will filmmakers find new ways to address the complex relationship between technology, power, and society, or will audiences continue to be inundated with portrayals of the same familiar tropes?
