Representations of CEO narcissism in films by Ethan and Joel Coen

Abstract Business executives are stock characters in the film narratives of the Coen brothers. In nearly every Coen brothers film we find a business executive of some type, from small business owners to corporate CEOs. These characters are men of wealth and power, typically corrupt, often criminal, and always antagonistic to the endeavors of the story’s protagonist. Drawing on recent research in business and organizational management science focused on the narcissistic aspects of contemporary corporate leadership, this article explores CEO narcissism and applies it to characters in Coen brothers movies. Blood simple, Raising Arizona, Fargo, The big Lebowski, and The Hudsucker proxy satirize business moguls as “blustering titans,” possessed of an inflated sense of self-importance and superiority, a willingness to manipulate others for personal gain, and a constant demand for self-validation.