Assholes: A Theory

Released Oct 30, 2020

1h 21m

Documentary

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8 Reviews

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With venomous social media, resurgent authoritarianism and rampant narcissism threatening to trash civilization as we know it, the time has come for Assholes: A Theory -- an entertaining and oh so timely feature doc from acclaimed director John Walker. Inspired by Aaron James' New York Times bestseller of the same name, Assholes investigates the breeding grounds of contemporary 'asshole culture' -- and locates signs of civility in an otherwise rude-n-nasty universe. Venturing into predominantly male domain, Walker moves from Ivy League frat clubs to the bratty princedoms of Silicon Valley and bear pits of international finance. Why do assholes thrive in certain environments? What explains their perverse appeal? And how do they keep getting elected! Lively commentary is provided by the likes of actor John Cleese, former RCMP officer Sherry Lee Benson-Podolchuk, and Italian LGBTQ activist Vladimir Luxuria who famously locked horns with Silvio Berlusconi, the p****y-grabbing prototype of the 21st century demagogue.

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Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

A gravely depressing survey of a 21st century in thrall-in several crucial arenas-to humanity's worst impulses.

Feb 3, 2021

Full Review

Peter Howell

Toronto Star

There's much humour but also a few swift kicks to the derriere delivered in the doc, including to supposedly mild-mannered Canadians.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 28, 2019

Full Review

Stephen Silver

Splice Today

A compelling documentary which asks what constitutes an asshole, how assholes succeed in society, and what can be done about it, if anything

Rated: 3.5/5

Nov 16, 2020

Full Review

Jorge Ignacio Castillo

Planet S Magazine

For a documentary that barely cracks the 80-minute length, Assholes: A Theory covers a lot of ground and even dares to provide a solution: don't enable assholery. Denounce it, don't celebrate it. Seems like sound advice.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 21, 2020

Full Review

Carey-Ann Pawsey

Orca Sound

The inspiration for him to make this film was reading the book Aaron James' book of the same name. It caused him to want to explore why. Why that type of person seems to be everywhere you turn today?

Rated: 3/5

Jan 2, 2020

Full Review

Norman Wilner

NOW Toronto

It's maybe not as funny as Walker wants it to be - a burbly jazz score tries very hard to force some lightness into the material - but it'll leave you thinking...

Rated: 3/5

Dec 3, 2019

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Audience Member

(Int. Cosmic Web) Krishna: (dances/plays flute for snakes who slither at feet) Bhakti: Krishna, you must get out of here! Krishna: Why? These snakes like hearing themselves hiss, so I thought I'd add a little music to their mess of ego! (plays hip hop like flute music and snakes all rattle) Bhakti: You are up the a$$ of the mother. Krishna: (puts flute down) I wondered why there were so many a$$e$ here. Bhakti: You need to quit staring at ya ma's a$$hole. Krishna: Oh? What body part shall I focus on? Bhakti: The heart. Krishna: (holds up glowing green Shatkona) Got it. Bhakti: You mustn't simply shove that up the a$$ of the mother. Krishna: No? What's the best way to get it to her? Bhakti: Through her mind, and that is through pure music. Krishna: Gotta get outta ya ma's a$$ then. Bhakti: Yes. For all of US, please do. Krishna: How do I get out of here? Bhakti: She has a lot of f'art. Just wait for the next f'art storm. Krishna: Fantastic! (f'art storm starts and Krishna is sucked up into mind hive and hollers as f'arted away) Give my best to the a$$e$$$$$$$$$$$$!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

A statement of what has always been true..

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It is truly just another lecture from the extreme left. God this is getting ridiculous. They think all white males are a**holes. That is so helpful. Pure projecting.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

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John Walker

Director

John Walker

Narrator

John Cleese

Self

Robert Sandler

Writer

Ann Bernier

Producer

Annette Clarke

Producer

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Synopsis

With venomous social media, resurgent authoritarianism and rampant narcissism threatening to trash civilization as we know it, the time has come for Assholes: A Theory -- an entertaining and oh so timely feature doc from acclaimed director John Walker. Inspired by Aaron James' New York Times bestseller of the same name, Assholes investigates the breeding grounds of contemporary 'asshole culture' -- and locates signs of civility in an otherwise rude-n-nasty universe. Venturing into predominantly male domain, Walker moves from Ivy League frat clubs to the bratty princedoms of Silicon Valley and bear pits of international finance. Why do assholes thrive in certain environments? What explains their perverse appeal? And how do they keep getting elected! Lively commentary is provided by the likes of actor John Cleese, former RCMP officer Sherry Lee Benson-Podolchuk, and Italian LGBTQ activist Vladimir Luxuria who famously locked horns with Silvio Berlusconi, the p****y-grabbing prototype of the 21st century demagogue.

Director: John Walker
Screenwriter: Robert Sandler
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures
Production Co: John Walker Productions, Documentary Channel, National Film Board of Canada
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 30, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 6, 2020
Runtime: 1h 21m

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