The Best of Enemies
2019 · Movie · PG-13 · 133 min · ★ 7.4 · 50% critics
In 1971 Durham, North Carolina, a civil rights activist and a reluctant leader tied to the Ku Klux Klan find themselves forced to work through a heated community fight over school desegregation. Their clashes during an emotionally charged summer reveal how unlikely cooperation can reshape people and a town.
Where to watch
Streaming on Netflix.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2019
- Release date
- 2019-04-05
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 133 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 50/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.4/10 (480 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this grounded, emotional true-story drama about racism and school integration if you want tension and hope in a difficult real-world conflict; Not for you if you prefer action-heavy thrillers or lighter themes, similar in spirit to The Great Debaters and Race.
Pros: uplifting true-story drama; emotional performances; powerful anti-racism message | Cons: may feel sad/heavy; some felt slow; a few minor issues
Themes
- based on novel or book
- ku klux klan
- 1970s
- north carolina
- based on true story
- racism
- interracial friendship
- segregation
Cast & crew
Taraji P. Henson
as Ann Atwater
Sam Rockwell
as Claiborne Paul Ellis
Babou Ceesay
as Bill Riddick
Anne Heche
as Mary Ellis
Wes Bentley
as Floyd Kelly
Nick Searcy
as Garland Keith
Bruce McGill
as Carvie Oldham
John Gallagher Jr.
as Lee Trombley
Nicholas Logan
as Wiley Yates
Gilbert Glenn Brown
as Howard Clement
Directed by Robin Bissell