Deepfake Parodies, Technological Spectacle, and Digital Catharsis: The Case of Iberian Son

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62161/revvisual.v17.5902

Keywords:

Deepfakes, TikTok, Artificial Intelligence, Reception, Political Humor, Pedro Sánchez, Political hate speech

Abstract

This study examines 1,919 user comments on 57 deepfakes created by Iberian Son and posted on TikTok, which parody the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. Content analysis and textual analysis are applied to explore whether the use of AI motivates viewing, what kind of responses they generate, and whether users infer implicit meanings not directly expressed in the videos. The results show that AI not only increases the appeal of the content but also acts as a tool for digital catharsis. The comments reveal that these videos provoke visceral reactions and reactivate latent political hate speech. In addition, they project broader ideological readings, some of which are linked to narratives typical of the far right.

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Published

2025-11-20

How to Cite

Paz-Rebollo, M. A., Bonaut-Iriarte, J., & Vicent-Ibáñez, M. (2025). Deepfake Parodies, Technological Spectacle, and Digital Catharsis: The Case of Iberian Son. VISUAL REVIEW. International Visual Culture Review Revista Internacional De Cultura Visual, 17(7), 189–204. https://doi.org/10.62161/revvisual.v17.5902

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 7 (2025): Critical Visualities and New Cultural Narratives in the Postdigital Era

Section

Research articles

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