How Boardwalk Empire became a critique of toxic masculinity

The Mary Sue

"As it stands, Boardwalk Empire was an academic criticism that—despite narrative missteps, confusing racial politics, and problematic elements—emerges as a powerful return to the social commentary roots of the gangster film, and as a telling political manifesto on the dangers of the patriarchy," says Kate Gardner. "Nucky is not a male power fantasy but a nightmare, and his downfall is something we should cheer for."