– It seems likely that audiences, especially conservative viewers, enjoy its humor, while critics are divided, with a 56% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 16 critics.
– The evidence leans toward the film being controversial, with some praising its exposure of DEI absurdities and others finding it offensive or lacking depth.
Movie Overview
Released on September 13, 2024, “Am I Racist?” is a documentary comedy film directed by Justin Folk for The Daily Wire. It has been shown in theaters, and you can check showtimes and book tickets at Fandango.
The film follows Matt Walsh as he poses as a “bumbling DEI trainee,” using undercover methods to interview experts and attend anti-racism workshops. It aims to satirize the DEI movement, suggesting it’s driven more by profit than principle, and highlights what Walsh sees as absurdities through hidden social experiments.
**Runtime and Box Office**
The movie runs for 1 hour and 41 minutes and has grossed $12.3 million, making it the highest-grossing documentary film of 2024, according to Wikipedia.
Critics have mixed views, with a 56% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 16 reviews, averaging 7/10. Some, like Jason L. Riley from The Wall Street Journal, found it “hilarious” for exposing the DEI industry, while Vinson Cunningham from The New Yorker criticized it for missing deeper complexities, calling Walsh a “grifter.”
Audiences have been more positive, with an “A” rating from CinemaScore and 5 out of 5 stars from PostTrak, suggesting strong appeal, particularly among conservative viewers.
The film’s methods, including Walsh misrepresenting its premise to participants, have raised ethical questions. Some reviewers, like Althea Cole from The Gazette, called it “TERRIBLE,” criticizing its shallow humor, while others, like Tatiana Siegel from Variety noted it’s “either hilarious or offensive, depending on which side of the MAGA fence you sit on.”
This section provides a comprehensive examination of “Am I Racist?” (2024), a satirical documentary comedy starring Matt Walsh, directed by Justin Folk for The Daily Wire. Released on September 13, 2024, the film has sparked significant discussion due to its controversial approach to critiquing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. Below, we delve into its plot, critical and audience reception, box office performance, and ethical considerations, ensuring a thorough understanding for readers interested in its cultural impact.
“Am I Racist?” follows Matt Walsh, a conservative political commentator, as he investigates the DEI movement by posing as a “bumbling DEI trainee.” The documentary employs hidden social experiments and undercover interviews with anti-racism experts and activists, aiming to expose what Walsh perceives as absurdities within the movement. The trailer, available on YouTube, describes Walsh transforming into a certified DEI expert, uncovering a world where “profit, not principle, drives the agenda.” This satirical lens positions the film as a mockumentary, drawing comparisons to films like “Borat,” with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes, as noted on Fandango.
The plot involves Walsh engaging with DEI workshops and support groups, often using subterfuge. For instance, after being ousted from a “white guilt” support group, he adopts a persona similar to a gender studies professor from his previous work, “What Is a Woman?” This approach is intended to highlight what the filmmakers see as inconsistencies or profit-driven motives in DEI practices, with specific scenes, such as interactions with Robin DiAngelo, noted in IMDB user reviews.
The critical reception of “Am I Racist?” is mixed, with a 56% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 16 critics, averaging 7/10. This score reflects a divide among reviewers, with some praising its humor and others finding it lacking in depth. Below is a table summarizing key critical reviews:
Reviews
- Jason L. Riley – The Wall Street Journal “You’ll laugh a lot… exposes the DEI industry.“
- Tom Joyce -NewBostonPost “Compelling and funny, mocks the DEI industry.” |
- Vinson Cunningham The New Yorker Missed deeper complexities, called Walsh “as much of a grifter.”
| Joel Stein | [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/am-i-racist-matt-walsh-1236009833/) | Walsh “lacks some of the skills of a comedian,” feels like “comedy made by an alien.” |
| Tatiana Siegel | [Variety](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/am-i-racist-review-matt-walsh-1235821770/) | “Either hilarious or offensive, depending on which side of the MAGA fence you sit on.” |
| Althea Cole | [The Gazette](https://www.thegazette.com/staff-columnists/am-i-racist-movie-was-made-for-conservatives-like-me-heres-why-i-hated-it/) | “TERRIBLE… traded deep humor for shallow laughs.” |
| Megan McArdle | [The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/09/23/matt-walsh-film-racist-awkward-moments/) | Suggested people “should watch it anyway.” |
| Denny Burk | [World](https://wng.org/opinions/is-owning-the-libs-a-justification-for-lying-1726567683) | Supports exposing DEI, questions filmmakers’ deception. |
This table highlights the polarization, with conservative-leaning publications like The Wall Street Journal and NewBostonPost offering positive reviews, while others, such as The New Yorker and The Hollywood Reporter, critique its lack of depth and comedic execution. Notably, Walsh mentioned in an interview that no mainstream film critics initially reviewed it, and some independent critics refused, as reported on [Movieguide](https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/am-i-racist-takes-a-top-box-office-spot-critics-wont-watch-it.html), adding to the controversy.
In contrast to critics, audience reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with an “A” rating from CinemaScore and 5 out of 5 stars from PostTrak, as per [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Am_I_Racist). This discrepancy suggests the film resonates strongly with conservative audiences, particularly those critical of DEI initiatives. User reviews on [IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33034103/reviews/) further support this, with one fan stating, “It’s definitely not for everyone… exposes what’s going on in the world today with everyone calling everyone else racist,” while another complained it was “too short” and could have included more content.
“Am I Racist?” has achieved significant commercial success, grossing $12.3 million with a production budget of $3 million, making it the highest-grossing documentary film of 2024, according to [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Am_I_Racist). This financial performance is notable, especially given its niche appeal and limited mainstream critical coverage. However, it has not been mentioned in major awards contexts within the provided information, suggesting its recognition is primarily commercial rather than critical.
A significant point of contention is the film’s use of deception. Walsh reportedly lied to guests about the movie’s premise to secure interviews, a tactic criticized by Denny Burk from [World](https://wng.org/opinions/is-owning-the-libs-a-justification-for-lying-1726567683) as ethically questionable, asking if “owning the libs” justifies lying. This approach, similar to “Borat,” has led to debates about the morality of undercover journalism in documentary filmmaking, with some viewers and critics, like Althea Cole from [The Gazette](https://www.thegazette.com/staff-columnists/am-i-racist-movie-was-made-for-conservatives-like-me-heres-why-i-hated-it/), feeling it damages the film’s potential for smart humor.
Given its polarizing nature, “Am I Racist?” is likely to appeal to viewers interested in social commentary and satirical comedy, particularly those aligned with conservative viewpoints. However, potential viewers should be aware of its controversial methods and mixed critical reception. Althea Cole suggested seeing it on Value Tuesday for $6, indicating it might not be worth full price for all audiences. For those curious, checking showtimes at [Fandango](https://www.fandango.com/am-i-racist-2024-237171/movie-overview) or reading further reviews on [Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/am_i_racist/reviews) could help decide.
Online discussions, such as on [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/moviereviews/comments/1fhvry9/review_of_am_i_a_racist_2024/), highlight viewer opinions, with some finding it “entertaining and humorous” but repetitive, failing to ask new questions about race. Another [Reddit post](https://www.reddit.com/r/GodAwfulMovies/comments/1fh38cd/matt_walshs_movie_titled_am_i_racist_potential/) suggests it may earn strong reactions, with users anticipating criticism for Walsh’s approach. These discussions underscore the film’s divisive reception beyond professional reviews.
In conclusion, “Am I Racist?” is a film that invites debate, offering a satirical take on DEI practices while raising ethical questions about its methods. Its commercial success and audience approval contrast with mixed critical reviews, making it a noteworthy, if controversial, entry in 2024’s documentary landscape.
References
Am I Racist? IMDb User Reviews
Am I Racist? Rotten Tomatoes Reviews
Am I Racist? Wikipedia Page Detailed Info
– [Am I Racist? The Gazette Negative Review](https://www.thegazette.com/staff-columnists/am-i-racist-movie-was-made-for-conservatives-like-me-heres-why-i-hated-it/)
– [Am I Racist? Variety Review Mixed Reception](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/am-i-racist-review-matt-walsh-1235821770/)
– [Am I Racist? New Yorker Critique Depth Lacking](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/on-television/is-matt-walsh-trying-to-make-am-i-racist-the-borat-of-the-right)
– [Am I Racist? Wall Street Journal Positive Take](https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/movies/am-i-racist-matt-walsh-dei-film-76d4e72b)
– [Am I Racist? NewBostonPost Compelling Review](https://newbostonpost.com/2024/09/17/why-you-should-go-see-matt-walshs-am-i-racist/)
– [Am I Racist? Washington Post Opinion Watch It](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/09/23/matt-walsh-film-racist-awkward-moments/)
– [Am I Racist? Hollywood Reporter Comedy Critique](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/am-i-racist-matt-walsh-1236009833/)
– [Am I Racist? World Ethical Concerns Raised](https://wng.org/opinions/is-owning-the-libs-a-justification-for-lying-1726567683)
– [Am I Racist? Movieguide Critics Refusal Note](https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/am-i-racist-takes-a-top-box-office-spot-critics-wont-watch-it.html)
– [Am I Racist? Fandango Showtimes and Tickets](https://www.fandango.com/am-i-racist-2024-237171/movie-overview)
– [Am I Racist? YouTube Official Trailer Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nS9VWcxfMY)
– [Am I Racist? Reddit Movie Reviews Discussion](https://www.reddit.com/r/moviereviews/comments/1fhvry9/review_of_am_i_a_racist_2024/)
– [Am I Racist? Reddit GodAwfulMovies Potential](https://www.reddit.com/r/GodAwfulMovies/comments/1fh38cd/matt_walshs_movie_titled_am_i_racist_potential/)
