The Oath

Another fantasy movie drumming up more political discourse in an already divided America. You can pretty much guess the how the movie goes. A "woke" Ike Barniholtz and his ethnic wife Tiffany Haddish show up to what obviously has to be small minded and moronic family members having the holidays because who else would like Trump according to anyone in LA or New York. Its another movie or show that could have promoted open minds like Roseanne's show before she was canned but its obviously just another attempt to give people more reasons to bypass civil discourse. For a far leftist this is going to be a great movie where it mimics real life where everyone who thinks ideologically different than you is an imbecile. If you don't fall into the far left watch literally ANYTHING else and you will have a better entertainment experience. I've seen Ike on Howard Stern talking politics which I give him a pass for but to make a movie based solely on his politics, as a MAD TV fan, this was disappointing.

Tons of reviewers stating this is an anti-trump movie. Political morons. they can't just enjoy a movie, they have to try to use it for political divide between each other. This has nothing to do with Trump and is really not left or right leaning. It is a black comedy that morphs into something I cant even explain at the end. It was deff. confusing, but with many slow parts in the first half, the change of story line in the last half deff, kept me interested. Nothing special... 5.2

This film is much better than the current IMDB rating suggests. The easily offended (aka the stupid) have been purposefully downgrading with 1 & 2 stars. The story pivots on a stereotypical American white male egomaniac liberal character; who displays the annoying traits which accompany that kind of personality - basically he is overbearing & likes the sound of his own voice. A worrying political situation is unfolding in the USA which calls for Americans to sign an 'Oath' - the signing of which is being insidiously enforced by a new government agency. All of this is obviously in the face of traditional American values (so you'd think this film would appeal to all Americans). Our male lead is warning his family about the unfolding situation, but, because of his stereotypical overbearing sanctimonious liberal ways, his family have developed a deaf-ear to his harpings; until it's too late - or is it? The film flows well, is accessible & well acted. Don't jump to conclusions!

Seemed like a waste of a movie it didn't go anywhere really and then it just ended, it was funny but also went into a severe decline that made no sense the only thing funny was the fact they're really people out their who let the news and politics control their lifes...other then that not the best

Some films are not easily classified: Ike Barinholtz's The Oath is just such a puzzle. The prospect of seeing a comedic take on Thanksgiving with current liberal and conservative divisions in many families was tantalizing. However, The Oath turns into a black comedy at best and bloody Straw Dogs home invasion at worst. Chris (Ike Barinholtz), a liberal, tries to understand why anyone would sign a government loyalty oath (Think Trump's National Loyalty Day, May 1) today in democratic USA. His brother, Pat (Jon Barinholtz) and most of his family, has signed, leading to Chris trying to avoid confrontations with little luck. With two Citizens Protection Unit operatives arriving unannounced, the contentious Thanksgiving dinner turns into a bloody confrontation between these enforcers of the oath and the growingly isolated, liberal Chris. For sure there are laughs at the extreme ends of the political spectrum, both sides evidencing ignorance and moved more by the movements themselves rather than deep-seated beliefs. Yet both sides are capable of cruelty and violence, and even Chris and his loving wife, Kai (Tiffany Haddish) are capable of turning on each other. The animosities are made real by today's polarized politics, so that the absurdist humor can resonate in all its hyperbole. Although the ending should satisfy both sides, and for sure the liberals, nonetheless all sides should be able to fear the extremes to which the citizenry can go and embrace a humanism that doesn't force anyone to turn on family. After all, it is Thanksgiving, and I feel confident your family will be kind and loving. It's the others you have to worry about. This dark drama has touches of humor, but also, it's Straw Dogs for political extremists. The Oath is a surprisingly acidic commentary on our partisan culture today.