The Best of Enemies

Play trailer

2:31

The Best of Enemies

PG-13

Released Apr 5, 2019

2h 13m

History

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

51%

Tomatometer

82 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

The true story of the unlikely relationship between Ann Atwater, an outspoken civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis, a local Ku Klux Klan leader. During the racially charged summer of 1971, Atwater and Ellis come together to co-chair a community summit on the desegregation of schools in Durham, N.C. The ensuing debate and battle soon lead to surprising revelations that change both of their lives forever.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

The Best of Enemies has the best of intentions, but they're derailed by a problematic perspective and a disappointing lack of insight.

Read Critics Reviews

Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (LAist)

It's predictable and conventional, but it has some powerful moments.

Sep 27, 2019

Full Review

Barry Hertz

Globe and Mail

But like Peter Farrelly's road-trip dramedy, Bissell's film stretches and flattens history in ways big and small.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 12, 2019

Full Review

Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

Comparisons will inevitably be made to Green Book for its upbeat vibe, but in terms of serious craft and admirable aspirations, this film is more in the league of 42 and Selma.

Apr 11, 2019

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

The film is driven by two equally big yet equally fabulous performances.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 19, 2022

Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

The Hollywood studio system has taken civil rights films in the direction of the exploitation genre, which doesn’t mean The Best of Enemies is bad medicine; it just makes it a placebo.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 18, 2022

Full Review

Josh Parham

Next Best Picture

The arcs are predictable and the tone never serious enough for the subject matter at hand.

Rated: 4/10

Jun 4, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Rhona D

Insightful movie! Thank you!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/24

Full Review

Ken V

Besides a very inspirational historical event, the acting and portrayals in this movie are just off the charts.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/18/23

Full Review

Rob A

A KKK chapter president and a civil rights activist clash over school integration in 1971 North Carolina. If you enjoyed Men of Honor (Robert Deniro, Cuba Gooding) you'll enjoy this. For sure! And it's a true story so you'll learn some interesting U.S. history too.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

Full Review

David H

I loved this film. It made me wish my dad were still around to watch it with me. I know he would have really enjoyed it. It's definitely a feel-good movie, but sometimes that's exactly what you need.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/14/23

Full Review

Bryan M

"What will you do when there's nothing left to fight about?" ... sums up the movie pretty well. This is a great story and everyone should see it at least once.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/21/23

Full Review

John H

Very interesting story with good lead actors. Gitcsoapy in parts but loved seeing the real people talk at the end . Bravery comes in many unexpected people

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/19/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Robin Bissell

Director

Taraji P. Henson

Ann Atwater

Sam Rockwell

C.P. Ellis

Babou Ceesay

Bill Riddick

Nick Searcy

Garland Keith

Wes Bentley

Floyd Kelly

The Post

88%

74%

The Post

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Post

The Banker

78%

100%

The Banker

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Banker

Lee Daniels' The Butler

71%

78%

Lee Daniels' The Butler

Watchlist

Selma

99%

86%

Selma

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Selma

A Call to Spy

70%

76%

A Call to Spy

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A Call to Spy

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Best of Enemies: Trailer 1

2:31

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

The true story of the unlikely relationship between Ann Atwater, an outspoken civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis, a local Ku Klux Klan leader. During the racially charged summer of 1971, Atwater and Ellis come together to co-chair a community summit on the desegregation of schools in Durham, N.C. The ensuing debate and battle soon lead to surprising revelations that change both of their lives forever.

Director: Robin Bissell
Producer: Danny Strong, Fred Bernstein, Matt Berenson, Robin Bissell, Dominique Telson, Tobey Maguire, Matthew Plouffe
Screenwriter: Robin Bissell
Distributor: STX Films
Production Co: Material Pictures, Astute Films
Rating: PG-13 (Racial Epithets|A Suggestive Reference|Some Violence|Thematic Material)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 5, 2019, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 18, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $10.2M
Runtime: 2h 13m

Most Popular at Home Now