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INTRODUCTION
Guess what I just found out. The wig Matt Walsh wears in Am I Racist? is the same one from his film Lady Ballers.
Was that fun fact necessary? I don’t know, I just felt I should include it for those interested.
Am I Racist? (2024) is a documentary-style comedy featuring conservative commentator Matt Walsh, which critiques the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) movement.
Directed by Justin Folk and produced by The Daily Wire, the film had a $3 million budget.
It premiered in cinemas on September 13, 2024, and has a PG-13 rating for strong language, thematic content, some sexual references, and smoking. The film has a runtime of just over 1 hour and 40 minutes.
AM I RACIST? (2024) OFFICIAL TRAILER
WHAT IS ‘AM I RACIST’ (2024) ABOUT?
Matt Walsh is the same man who brought the documentary What Is a Woman? Now is bringing in another named Am I Racist? This time, Walsh goes into the hot world of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives-the biggest bomb in modern American society.
The movie tackles, through satire, severe subjects: race, DEI training, and the so-called exploiters of that concept, normally referred to as “race hustlers.”
Am I Racist? Promises to be a provocative look at how DEI programs are framed in corporate, educational, and social spheres, with suggestions that some such initiatives are more performative than transformative.
Walsh positions himself as an undercover investigator, giving attention to what he perceives as absurdity in these efforts. It is expected that the documentary will raise questions about widely received narratives on race relations and the possible motivations of those who promote DEI programs.
With his in-your-face approach to most things, Walsh promises to use humor, satire, and incisive criticism to expose perceived inconsistencies or overreach in DEI training and race-related activism.
If What Is a Woman? Is any indicator, surely Am I Racist? will spur heated debates and polarized reactions, considering the sensitive nature of discussions centered on race in America.
MY THOUGHTS ON AM I RACIST?
I’ve been a fan of Matt Walsh since I watched What Is a Woman?, so when I heard about his latest work Am I Racist?, I was both curious and excited. This movie does not disappoint, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re a fan of satire and want a different perspective on today’s social issues, this film will engage you.
Am I Racist? Exposes the divisive narratives of racism and the modern obsession with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). It shines a light on how people and institutions profit from these ideologies. What stands out is Walsh’s ability to keep a straight face through some absurd situations—something that gives the movie an extra edge. It’s funny, and thought-provoking, and at times, you can’t help but wonder, “How can there be people who think this way?”
While the pacing feels a bit slow at times, especially during some long scenes, the film mostly delivers consistent humor. It’s not just an attack on one side but a reflection on how confusing and counterproductive identity politics can become.
AM I RACIST (2024) FILM REVIEW
CHARACTER PERFORMANCE
Matt Walsh is the star of this film, and his deadpan humor carries the idea from start to finish. His performance is reminiscent of Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Borat,” but with a conservative twist.
The way he portrayed a clueless, guilt-ridden white man trying to atone for his “inherent racism” is hilariously awkward. What’s even funnier is how he moves through these scenarios while interviewing DEI experts, leaving the viewer laughing while also questioning the logic behind the DEI movement.
Other key moments involve his interactions with well-known figures like Robin DiAngelo, author of White Fragility, and various other “race theorists.”
Their responses to Walsh’s antics feel unintentionally hilarious, as he often twists their logic back on them. The film showcases how some of these figures and their ideas about race often contradict themselves, and the film does so with sharp wit.
VISUAL DESIGN AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
Given that Am I Racist? is a mockumentary, the film relies heavily on a realistic, documentary-like visual style. The filmmakers wanted the audience to feel as if they were watching a real social experiment unfold. The cinematography is straightforward, with no flashy editing or special effects to distract from the message.
There are some notable transitions, such as the shift from Walsh’s undercover persona to his more earnest moments. These parts emphasize how far society has gone in its obsession with political correctness.
The film doesn’t try to overwhelm you with visual grandeur but instead uses its minimalist approach to let the dialogue and satire take center stage.
WRITING STYLE AND STORY
The writing in Am I Racist? is sharp, witty, and downright clever. Walsh’s dialogue is filled with ironic observations and questions that make you rethink the current state of race relations in America.
The script is meticulously structured, leading us from one ridiculous DEI session to another. Whether it’s a $30,000 therapy session for white people or a $5,000 dinner discussing “white supremacy,” the situations feel outlandish but disturbingly possible.
Each scene builds on the previous one, guiding viewers deeper into the absurdity of modern race theory. The story, while simple—Walsh trying to figure out how to be less racist—doesn’t need to be complex. Its simplicity is what makes the film effective.
The humor doesn’t come from heavy punchlines but from the natural interactions between Walsh and his unsuspecting interviewees.
THEMES
Am I Racist? Tackles a sensitive and polarizing issue in contemporary society: racism and how it’s discussed in America. The film’s central theme is the performative nature of many DEI initiatives and how these programs often do more harm than good. Walsh challenges the narrative that all white people are inherently racist, no matter how hard they try to deny it.
The movie explores the commodification of guilt. It questions whether people are genuinely becoming better or if these programs are just profiting off people’s insecurities. One powerful moment comes at the end, when Walsh asks, “Am I really making people better, or am I just profiting off their guilt?”
Walsh also touches on the idea that race is not as divisive as some would like it to be. His interactions with regular people in bars or on the street suggest that many people don’t see race the way theorists do. A particularly heartwarming scene is when an older gentleman explains that we all “bleed the same color” and that love should be the focus.
AM I RACIST (2024) BOXOFFICE PREDICTION
While it’s doing well in the conservative towns, selling out some of its shows, the turnout for this film has been far less within larger cities such as Toronto and Halifax; in fact, there have even been near-empty showings. This would seem to suggest that perhaps the movie identifies with residents from more conservative regions of town, which urban centers may not.
Reactions from viewers have ranged, with some appreciating how the film cut at “race grifters” and took aim, via satire, at white guilt. Yet, even in conservative areas, attendance is spotty, with theaters not always filled.
Overall, Am I Racist? will more than likely enjoy better box office receipts in conservative-leaning regions but may not get as much traction within some larger and more liberal-oriented cities. The success will depend on how well it catches on beyond these regional pockets.
CONCLUSION
Am I Racist? is a film that balances humor and serious critique in a way that feels fresh and original. While it’s geared towards a conservative audience, its insights into race and DEI are thought-provoking regardless of your political beliefs.
The film raises essential questions about the role of race in society and how we can move forward without being bogged down by guilt, identity politics, and performative activism.
It may not be a film for everyone, and its humor can be cringe-inducing at times. But, if you’re open to satire and want to see a new take on today’s racial dynamics, then Am I Racist? Is worth a watch.
Even if you don’t agree with all the film’s viewpoints, it will leave you questioning how society deals with race and inclusion—and perhaps, like me, chuckling along the way.
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