We’ve all had challenging times with friends and family during holidays, although it’s usually family that gets under our skin the most. I mean after all, you can choose your friends but family, not so much. Well it’s very doubtful that any of us have an experience that’s been as crazy as what one extended family is going to deal with leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday. The stuff that goes down in The Oath is borderline insanity, and Roadside Attractions wants to give you a ringside seat…quite literally.

Chris (Ike Barinholtz) and Kai (Tiffany Haddish) are a relatively happy married couple but throw in the stresses that come with hosting the family Thanksgiving get-together, and all bets are off! If that’s not bad enough, they live in a time where the government is overreaching (depending on where you stand on the matter) by asking American citizens to sign “The Patriot’s Oath”, and asking is really being overly polite in this particular scenario. This promissory political document basically outlines how Americans will and won’t act under the guise regarding patriotism of the highest order. Talk about an over-policed nation!

Chris feels some kind of way about this new proposal and anyone else that feels differently is an enemy. As the family visit gets deeper and deeper into decisive opinions, battle lines are drawn and things escalate beyond a reasonable point. Lines are crossed as this comedy brings with it some very dark moments. The end result is anyone’s guess, but this may be more about the journey and its message than anything else.

The Oath will inevitably be one of those movies that will entertain and enrage you throughout. Ike Barinholtz directs, writes and stars in comedy action thriller that wears all three hats very independently. At first glance, you’d be right to think this is just another comedy, especially given some of its acting talent listed such as Barinholtz, Tiffany Haddish, Max Greenfield and John Cho. This film was born in the twisted humored mind of Ike Barinholtz and he does not flinch in telling his controversial story.

While portraying a character that would be considered a left-wing liberal, he’s so far in one direction that he’ll alienate audience members that initially share his views. At the same time he attacks the right side with such vigor. He does a good job at playing one against the other so much so that neither side has a leg up. What’s left behind is a crazy story.

For whatever reason, this movie felt incredibly long while watching it which isn’t a good sign when finding out that the runtime is only 93 minutes long. It honestly feels longer, much longer. That said, The Oath presents equal parts humor and darkness. They kind of offset one another and you end up back where you started. This will undoubtedly flop in theaters because audiences won’t know what they’re getting into.

There are several decent moments but the quality of characters involved are highly underutilized, leaving an empty “could’ve/would’ve/should’ve” feel that will keep this feature from reaching its full potential. Ike Barinholtz may have made this as a statement film but the message is sure lost among all of the constant absurdity that surrounds this feature. You can see The Oath right now in a few theaters before it’s quickly pulled for a home release.