The Estate Offers Dark Laughs and Very Little Woke

I've always been a fan of black comedies, and in these overly sensitive times, it's particularly refreshing when a new one comes along. The Estate boasts a great ensemble cast who deliver an abundance of dark humor. I laughed a lot--which is far from the norm when I watch contemporary films.

There is almost no woke. The worst of it may be a very emasculated character played by the great Ron Livingston. Even there, the over-the-top absurdity of the situations allows for a surprising amount of funny. For those who are bothered by it, there is one interracial relationship (Toni Collette and Gichi Gamba) depicted--which is a very small, innocuous part of the movie--as well as one simply implied. Also along the lines of typical casting requirements, there is only one doctor portrayed in The Estate, and it is played by a "woman of color."

Overall, the movie works best because almost all of the characters are bad people, and the jokes are on them. My biggest warning is that this movie is not for people looking for something wholesome or family-friendly. Again, it's a black comedy, and there are jokes about terminal illness, greedy and conniving relatives, and sex offenders. There is a ton of harsh language and content, so make sure this jibes with your comedic sensibility.