Culture | Back Story

Fed up with Biden v Trump II? Some succour from fictional rematches

From “Moby Dick”, “Star Wars” and “Rocky” to the presidential election

Luke Skywalker fights Darth Vader with light sabers in The Empire Strikes Back.
Photograph: Alamy

Picture a pair of adversaries—let’s call them Joe and Donald. In a story of rivalry, vanquishment and triumph, Joe beats Donald in a race or a fight. Now imagine they face off again. This drama is richer; it has the old ingredients plus stubbornness, grudges and the dream or delusion of a second chance.

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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “The art of the rematch”

From the May 4th 2024 edition

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