Anti-Trump Horror Film ‘History of Evil’ Crushed by Critics

Liberal film critics judge progressive movies through a sympathetic lens.

That’s not just a conservative film critic saying that. Richard Roeper said his peers reviewed 2016’s “Ghostbusters” flop “on a curve” due to its feminist bona fides.

Michael Moore movies get raves, for the most part. Director Rob Reiner’s recent anti-Trump screed “God and Country” earned a 92 percent “fresh” rating earlier this month. For context, the once-mighty Reiner hasn’t directed a successful film since 2007’s “The Bucket List.”

Film critics, a group that leans aggressively to the Left, still couldn’t stomach a new horror film with an overtly anti-Trump agenda.

“History of Evil,” which debuted on Shudder Feb. 23, is the latest horror yarn steeped in social commentary.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

In the near future, war and corruption have plagued America and turned it into a theocratic police state. Against the oppression, ordinary citizens have formed a group called The Resistance. One such member, Alegre Dyer, breaks out of political prison and reunites with her husband Ron and daughter Daria. On the run from the militia, the family takes shelter in a remote safe house. But their journey is far from over, as the house’s dark past begins to eat away at Ron, and his earnest desire to keep his family safe is overtaken by something much more sinister.

The film currently boasts a 29 percent “rotten” rating at the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.

MovieWeb’s headline says it all. “Anti-Trump Horror Film Is a Pandering Mess”

And as a political allegory, History of Evil is just blatantly unsubtle. From an organized militia being named ‘The J-6 Authority’ in an obvious nod to Jan. 6th, 2021, to idiotic radio ads selling steroids with lines like, “Don’t be a cuck, power up,” this film spells out its agenda in bright all-caps lettering.

The heroes in the film are even dubbed “The Resistance.” It’s like 2017 all over again.

Exclusive Clip from Shudder's 'History of Evil' Reveals Something Sinister Lurking in the Closet https://t.co/IjADzfVzdB pic.twitter.com/KrUKLCwraf

— GoreCulture (@gore_culture) February 21, 2024

The Review Geek’s critique is equally withering. “A terrible snoozefest that lowballs viewers’ expectations of horror,” reads the headline.

The far-Left Roger-Ebert.com gave “History of Evil” one star.

One really has to dig into the surface of “History of Evil” to find the kernel of an idea that could have worked, and it’s quite bluntly just not even remotely worth the effort.

‘History of Evil’ Buried By Liberal Critics

Paste Magazine nods along to the film’s warped thesis but instinctively knows the story can’t ignite the progressive premise.

History of Evil feels sickeningly prescient in 2024’s revving election hellscape, yet underwhelming as an act of protest. Mirhosseni’s feature debut runs on condemnation and rage, infuriated by the bigotry that right-wing extremists have allowed to resurface, but paints in broad exploitation strokes prioritizing conceptual importance over quality execution.

Collider is similarly smitten with the concept but can’t support what’s seen on screen.

[Director Bo] Mirhosseni had noble intentions in making this film, having said in a statement that History of Evil is “inspired by his parent’s experiences during the Iranian revolution.” Through the film he hopes that “audiences understand the fear that minorities face in this country with the constant shifting of extremism,” and while that’s always an important reality to shed some light on, the execution feels like a huge misfire in this case.

Now, imagine if the team behind “History of Evil” had cast progressives as the authoritarians who separate people by race, demonize an entire demographic based on skin color and snuff out dissent.

That 29 percent rating would be significantly lower.