The Oath

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1:53

The Oath

R

2018

1h 33m

Holiday

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

88 Reviews

40%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

When Chris, a high-strung news junkie, and his more levelheaded wife learn that citizens are being asked to sign a loyalty oath to the president, their reaction is disbelief. As the Thanksgiving deadline to sign approaches, the combination of sparring relatives, Chris' own agitation and the unexpected arrival of two government agents sends an already tense holiday gathering completely off the rails.

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Critics Consensus

The Oath draws on hyper-partisan modern politics for a pointedly funny satire that hits its targets hard and often enough to more than achieve its desired discomfort.

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Tom Russo

Boston Globe

[Barinholtz] lacks storytelling chops, aiming for wildly provocative satire but instead churning out a technically spotty screed.

Rated: 1/4

Oct 24, 2018

Full Review

Barry Hertz

Globe and Mail

The Oath appears to crave several things at once, all diametrically opposed.

Oct 19, 2018

Full Review

Adam Graham

Detroit News

"The Oath" has a sharp tongue and plenty to say about our times. It's just too bad it can't finish the conversation.

Rated: C+

Oct 19, 2018

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Skims the surface of how divisive politics drives wedges between friends and family but tends to lean toward broad comedy to make its point rather than insight.

Rated: 2.5/5

Mar 1, 2021

Full Review

Margot Harrison

Seven Days (VT)

Writer-director Barinholtz does a good job of spinning a disturbingly plausible premise into a nightmare, but he somehow manages to map our national divisions without shedding useful light on them.

Rated: 2.5/5

Nov 4, 2020

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

It works for the most part, and captures the tenor of an era when "divisive" politics have grown bad enough to break up friendships, families, and quite possibly our status as a democratic republic.

Oct 22, 2020

Full Review

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Jeremy B

The first hour or so is really entertaining and the satire is pretty on point. Unfortunately, it falls apart in the third act as it goes in a wildly different direction. I thought the last hour was also good in a dark comedy way, but it felt like a different movie from what they started with. It wasn't bad. It was just uneven.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/29/24

Full Review

Schwinnilla C

interesting script that is relevant because of the divisive times we're living in...not much of a budget, basic set design, uninspired cinematography, and some of the acting was downright awful BUT it had some wonderful "truths"

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/24/24

Full Review

Alec B

On the one hand I admire Barinholtz for trying to grapple with the deep seated rage and resentment festering in the heart of America, but he doesn't appear to have figured out how to coherently address it here. The movie is all over the place and the ending offers a resolution that is too simplistic.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/05/24

Full Review

The Monroe M

Other than the music, this film was the worst I've seen in several years. I will never get that time back. Oh how I wish I had done anything else besides take the time to see this movie in the theater. No plot, no acting, nonsense. It now replaces my least favorite movie, Joe Dirt.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/19/23

Full Review

Bill C

Terrible! It doesn't deserve a one rating. Nothing at all like the real Moroni. Honestly I don't understand how someone can make such a terrible film about a character who has such a magnificent story. Had to be about making money off of some dedicated people who would go without questions . My wife and I walked out 40 minutes into the movie. Others followed. In fact the theater mgr was outside the door handing out free ticket passes for reimbursement. Never had that before!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/13/23

Full Review

Maria V

I've watched this movie several times. It gives you awareness in every aspect of life. You'll never get tired watching all over again. I invite everyone to watch the movie to find out the beauty of it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/13/23

Full Review

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Ike Barinholtz

Director

Ike Barinholtz

Chris

Tiffany Haddish

Kai

Nora Dunn

Eleanor

Chris Ellis

Hank

Jon Barinholtz

Pat

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The Oath: Red Band Trailer 1

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The Oath: Teaser Trailer - Thanksgiving

1:37

The Oath: Teaser Trailer 1

1:15

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Synopsis

When Chris, a high-strung news junkie, and his more levelheaded wife learn that citizens are being asked to sign a loyalty oath to the president, their reaction is disbelief. As the Thanksgiving deadline to sign approaches, the combination of sparring relatives, Chris' own agitation and the unexpected arrival of two government agents sends an already tense holiday gathering completely off the rails.

Director: Ike Barinholtz
Producer: Sean McKittrick, Raymond Mansfield, Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen, Andrew C. Robinson
Screenwriter: Ike Barinholtz
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: QC Entertainment, Sony Pictures
Rating: R (Some Drug Use|Language Throughout|Violence)
Genre: Holiday, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 12, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 28, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $387.4K
Runtime: 1h 33m

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