DARK ROMANTICISM 
IN THE 21TH CENTURY

Dark Romanticism originated in the 18th and 19th century. Poe, Lewis, De Sade, Baudelaire are often supposed to be the first, and sometimes the last, Dark Romanticists. At the beginning of a new millenium - where is the movement heading? Is Dark Romanticism history - or future?

I like to think that the Dark Romantic movement is more important today than ever. Personally I believe that the Dark Romanticist of all times is Nick Cave.

From Hell and The Others, are darkly romantic movies - in the traditional sense - of the 21st century. From Hell is a visual celebration of the Victorian society. The Others is a renaissance for Henry James ghost stories. Both movies are more nostalgia than 21st century Dark Romanticism.

Personally, I believe that American Psycho and Fight Club, both adapted from novels, in many ways represent  21st century Dark Romanticism. Some people argue that the Dark Romantic movement today consists of german gothic bands and artists as Marilyn Manson. I could not disagree more - it's merely clothes and attitudes.  

The life of Patrick Bateman - The American Psycho - reminds of the life of Dorian Gray. The main character in Fight Club shares the same attributes. They are both beautiful in the eyes of others. They are both whealthy materialists. They devote their lifes to decandent pleasures. They wish to give vent to dreams and let go of inhibitions. They break the laws of society. Grey and Bateman are monsters - but in the eyes of others, they are ideals. American Psycho and Fight Club, both works of imagination, penetrates the common convictions and react against the new "age of enlightenment".

The blind materialism have the same effects as 300 years ago - we wish to escape reality. We wish to travel to all kinds of places. Horror, Fantasy and Science Fiction movies are popular. We wish to travel to a more beautiful world  - and perhaps sometimes to an uglier world.

 
The postmodern world

Romantic philosophy and mysticism are now facing the worst crisis so far. Whether it concerns literature, politics, art, morality or philosophy the world seems to unite - all free individuals can't agree to the same idea. Without one single God or leader everyone is right and everyone is wrong. Nothing is generally good or bad, ridiculous or sublime, light or dark. 

The romantic aspiration to a spiritual union of individuals is ridiculed. Dark Romanicists still search for it - believers will not despair when the outer world changes. The Mystery will never be solved until the sky opens wide. Then we'll understand what they talked about in the songs and novels. And we still don't know if that day will be the worst in the history of humanity.