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These days, all it takes is a few minutes on social media to realize that our country is politically divided. And as the holidays approach, families are bracing for the arguments that could spring up during family dinners. But in The Oath, politically-charged circumstances lead to a trying Thanksgiving with the family.
The Oath is set in a terrifying time for our country—one in which American citizens have been asked to sign a loyalty oath to the government. Just days before the Black Friday deadline, Chris (Ike Barinholtz) and his wife, Kai (Tiffany Haddish), are preparing to host his politically diverse family for the holiday. Tensions run high as Chris’s parents try to keep the discussions from getting political—but as the country spirals into chaos and violence, things don’t go much better for Chris and his family.
The idea behind The Oath is one that many of us can understand. In recent years, people who never thought much about politics have become active and outspoken—and that often makes for some awkward holiday dinners. And they don’t get a whole lot more awkward than this one. As members of the family gradually show up, the tension grows—until Chris clashes with his brother’s girlfriend, Abbie (Meredith Hagner).
The characters here cover the full political spectrum—from pro-Oath Abbie to anti-Oath protester Chris and everything in between. But while both sides have a chip on their shoulder and their share of flaws (like Abbie’s general snobbishness and Chris’s sensitivities), it’s no big surprise that this isn’t a politically neutral film.
At the same time, though, The Oath is more than just a comedy about a family with very different political views. And after 45 minutes or so of over-the-top, expletive-loaded political comedy, the film takes a sharp—and surprisingly violent—turn when two agents of the Citizens Protection Unit show up to question Chris. While the laughs remain, the tone is very different—and while both halves of the film are entertaining in their own way, the shifting tone will most likely leave viewers feeling off-balance. And as the day spirals out of control, the whole thing goes a bit off the rails as it makes its way to a strangely weak and perplexing conclusion.
The Oath certainly has some wildly entertaining moments—and plenty of laugh-out-loud comedy—its wild mood swings and puzzling message take away from the finished product. Admittedly, it has all of the ups and downs of the typical weekend with your family—but it’s also just as exhausting.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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