Arthurian Legend Endures in Pop Culture, From Troye Sivan to Far-Right Symbolism
The enduring legacy of Arthurian legends is set to shape contemporary media, with Troye Sivan's music video "Party" debuting in 2026, featuring an Arthurian backdrop. In the same summer, Ffern is slated to unveil a short film inspired by The Green Knight, tapping into the nostalgia of 1980s fantasy cinema. Next, Anna Biller’s The Face of Horror is anticipated in 2027, further delving into medieval themes. This trend follows a series of films portraying King Arthur, highlighting a significant cultural resurgence, while Elizabeth Ferszt and Nathaniel Bump examine New Order's "Restless" and its diverse interpretations, including unsettling appropriations.
Key facts
- Troye Sivan's 2026 single "Party" music video is set in an Arthurian-like landscape with a queer-coded equivalent to the Knights of the Round Table.
- Fragrance brand Ffern released a short inspired by The Green Knight in summer 2026, with color grading recalling 1980s fantasy films.
- Director Anna Biller will release the fairytale-like feature The Face of Horror in 2027, featuring medieval settings and Technicolor-like visuals.
- The 1981 film Excalibur interweaves four narrative threads: the sword in the stone, the Arthur-Guenevere-Lancelot love triangle, the Holy Grail quest, and Mordred's ascent.
- Elizabeth Ferszt and Nathaniel Bump, writing in Arthuriana, discuss New Order's 2015 music video for "Restless" as an example of Arthurian influence.
- The authors argue New Order's video offers a punk reinterpretation that challenges cookie-cutter Arthurian versions.
- Hitler and Himmler obsessed over Arthurian legends, the Knights Templar, and the Holy Grail, per Current Affairs.
- In September 2026, the Northern Italian village of Pietramurata hosted a far-right meetup titled "Ritorno a Camelot."
Entities
Artists
- Troye Sivan
- Anna Biller
- Elizabeth Ferszt
- Nathaniel Bump
- John Boorman
- T.H. White
- Marion Zimmer Bradley
- Hitler
- Himmler
Institutions
- Ffern
- New Order
- Arthuriana
- Current Affairs
- ISIS
- Disney
Locations
- Pietramurata
- Italy