The Hater (2022)

The Hater is the kind of sharp, high-wire political comedy that feels ripped from today’s headlines, yet it never forgets to be entertaining first. Its big swing—a liberal environmentalist slipping back into her conservative Texas roots and weaponizing campaign theatrics—creates a frenzied, clever vibe where every scene seems to dare the next one to go further. The writing keeps the satire pointed but human, finding laughs not just in ideology, but in ego, insecurity, and the messy ways people try to belong. If you’re allergic to politics in your comedy you may find it a bit too timely, but if you like smart, ambitious humor that pokes at polarization while still giving its characters dimension, this one’s an easy yes.

The Hater wants to be a scrappy, undercover political satire about a liberal activist gaming the system in deep-red Texas, and the premise has just enough mischief to sound promising. In practice, the comedy often lands with a thud, feeling more toothless than sharp, and the plot leans on contrivances that can make the whole scheme feel flat rather than clever. If you need a likable lead or genuinely biting jokes to stay engaged, this one may test your patience, because the protagonist is deliberately abrasive and the pacing can turn tedious. You might still get something out of it if you enjoy low-stakes culture-clash setups and can tolerate a muddled, ideologically awkward tone in exchange for the occasional moment of insight.