In an era of heightened awareness and moral divide, the concept of folk heroes is undergoing a dramatic transformation while remaining more relevant than ever. Throughout history, folk heroes — both real and fictional — have captured public attention by embodying social values, confronting injustice, and representing the hopes of ordinary people.

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Stories of traditional folk heroes like Robin Hood have endured for centuries, emerging as symbols of resistance against social inequality, and commentary on complex dynamics in society, resonating with those who feel marginalized or oppressed. A hero stealing from the wealthy to aid the poor not only addressed a deep-seated (and justified) anger over wealth concentration and inequality, it also represented something even more fundamental: hope.

When legal channels for economic mobility seemed blocked, these heroes offered a promise that someone — or anyone — could step forward to address systemic injustice, even if through illegal means born of desperation. These stories have endured for centuries in different forms, with no shortage of people who feel trapped in a cycle of poverty and powerlessness.

But the internet is fundamentally altering how folk heroes emerge, and how their stories are told. Consider the Menendez brothers’ case: initially portrayed as ruthless killers after murdering their parents in 1989, their narrative has been dramatically reshaped through Netflix documentaries. Renewed attention to their traumatic upbringing and abuse has transformed public perception of their story.

Similarly, Luigi Mangione gained a significant following across social media. His killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was widely celebrated online, narrowing the gap between people usually of different ideologies, for addressing a shared concern of healthcare system inequities, despite achieving that through a violent action that both sides would usually consider unethical. People relate to these figures because they see their own struggles reflected in their stories. Folk heroes often represent challenges that many individuals face in their lives, making their journeys resonate deeply with those dealing with similar obstacles — an example would be Bonnie and Clyde from the Great Depression, when no one was a fan of bankers.

People have lost hope in meaningful change being achieved through authorized channels. Folk heroes often emerge in response to social injustices or crises, embodying the hopes of marginalized communities seeking fairness and representation. One could attribute the growing turn to folk heroes to increasingly crumbling trust in traditional institutions — especially by younger people.

The Edelman Trust Barometer shows that trust in governments, business leaders, and media has hit record lows, with a quarter of the respondents supporting “hostile activism” — which includes online attacks, disinformation, and property damage —, a figure that rises to two thirds among those aged 18-34. The story of the Menendez brothers illustrates this shift: they are now seen by some as victims who sought justice for their past trauma — justice that the legal system would have never granted them.

The celebration of modern folk heroes raises important ethical questions. Glorifying individuals who commit violent acts may risk making these actions acceptable on a whole, even without the cause. As younger and younger people have more access to the internet, the message that violent behaviour is admirable or justified — especially if they miss the nuance of context — may normalize their reception to it.

The emergence of folk heroes reveals the complex intersections between individual action and systemic change. Their stories are important reflections of changing social values on justice, morality, and social progress, particularly during times of increasing polarization and institutional distrust. These narratives serve as mirrors of societal tensions, capturing moments when individual acts of defiance catalyze broader social movements.

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