“Anxious Carnivores” explores the resurgence of cannibalism in popular culture as a metaphor for societal issues and ethical consumption, reflecting anxieties about power dynamics, survival, and the willingness to consume others in the face of uncertainty.
The mini-series “Anxious Carnivores” explores the evolving meat culture in America, where despite increasing pressures to quit meat, people are finding unconventional ways to consume it. Cannibalism has made a comeback in popular culture, portrayed in movies and TV shows like “The Last of Us,” “Yellowjackets,” and “Hannibal.” These narratives use cannibalism as a metaphor for societal issues such as wealth disparity and power dynamics, blurring the lines between who is at the top and bottom of the food chain. The stories explore the ethics of consumption and the desire to conquer and dominate, with cannibalism symbolizing the capitalistic impulse. They also raise questions about the meaning of consuming what is like ourselves and the vulnerabilities that make us susceptible to being consumed. While some portrayals of cannibalism are campy and comedic, others delve into themes of desperation, survival, and breaching unthinkable taboos in the face of certain death. These narratives tap into real-world examples of cannibalism during extreme circumstances and highlight the horror and existential questions they evoke, particularly in times of uncertainty and societal anxieties.
