Islam, Terrorism, and Cultural Racism in the Film Run Hide Fight: Infidels (2026)

This paper contributes to the literature by offering a critical examination of the representation of Islam and Muslims in contemporary Western cinema, particularly through the film Run Hide Fight: Infidels (2026). Drawing on Mehdi Semati's concepts of essentialization, differentialist racism, securitization, and the Muslim Other, alongside Edward Said's theory of Orientalism, the study demonstrates how cinematic narratives can construct Muslims as culturally incompatible, inherently dangerous, and security threats. It further highlights how religious symbols, Islamic practices, and Muslim identities are associated with terrorism, while broader political and historical contexts are overlooked. By examining the intersection of Islamophobia, cultural racism, and post-9/11 cinematic representation, this study contributes to critical discussions of media representation, identity, power, and the construction of the Muslim Other in Western popular culture.