The 91% RT Martial Arts Movie Praised By Obama Is Now Streaming On Peacock

Since leaving office, Barack Obama has released an annual list of his favorite books, music, and movies. While his film picks often include major Oscar contenders, he also highlights smaller independent movies that deserve more attention. He included 2024 Oscar winners Oppenheimer and American Fiction, but he also had smaller independent films like Japan’s psychological drama Monster.

Obama had to put Rustin, a biographical drama about a civil rights activist, and Leave the World Behind, Netflix’s hit psychological thriller, on his 2023 list – though it didn’t hurt that both were produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions. However, one of the most surprising picks was an indie directorial debut that combined martial arts and comedy.

Polite Society, a little-seen but critically acclaimed British comedy, made Obama’s list. The movie has a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes, but grossed under $3 million against an undisclosed budget. For any American fans of martial arts movies who missed its theatrical run in 2023, Polite Society is now streaming on Peacock in the U.S.

The completely original action-comedy was written and directed by Nida Manzoor in her feature film debut. Blending coming-of-age comedy, martial arts, family drama, and Bollywood influences, Polite Society is unlike almost anything else released in 2023, and it’s easy to see why it earned a spot on Obama’s annual favorites list.

Polite Society Kicks Into High Gear With One Of The Best Twists Of The Decade

Polite Society announces exactly what kind of movie it is from the opening moments. The characters in Polite Society center around British-Pakistani teenager Ria Khan, who dreams of becoming a stuntwoman. Her biggest supporter is her older sister, Lena, who recently dropped out of art school and is struggling to figure out her next step.

However, Ria becomes immediately suspicious when Lena begins dating Salim Shah, a charming, successful doctor with a very devoted mother, Raheela. Ria’s attempts to interfere come across as selfish at best and jealous at worst. The movie cleverly encourages audiences to question whether Ria is protecting her sister or simply refusing to accept that Lena is moving on without her.

Without spoiling the ending of Polite Society, the movie completely shifts gears with a twist that recontextualizes major characters’ motivations. Rather than losing momentum, the movie becomes even more confident, blending its action, comedy, and emotional stakes into an unforgettable third act.

The genre shift recalls filmmakers like Boots Riley and Edgar Wright, who use heightened realities and outrageous concepts to explore deeper themes. Manzoor balances absurd humor, inventive action sequences, and genuine emotional catharsis. No matter how wild the story becomes, Polite Society never loses sight of its emotional core: the bond between the Khan sisters.

Polite Society Is The Perfect Antidote To Superhero Fatigue

Image via MovieStillsDB.com

While Polite Society may not be a traditional superhero movie, it captures many of the elements that have made the genre so appealing. The film blends genres in a similar way to many of the best comic book adaptations, combining martial arts, comedy, coming-of-age storytelling, and family drama into something that feels completely unique.

Its kinetic editing, heightened action sequences, and comic-book visual language create the kind of energetic spectacle audiences often expect from superhero films. Importantly, Polite Society also represents what many viewers have been missing from modern blockbusters. People do not seem tired of stylized action or heightened storytelling; they are tired of seeing the same formulas repeated across multiple franchises.

Superhero fatigue is not new, but it’s less about audiences rejecting spectacle and more about wanting fresh perspectives, unexpected ideas, and stories with a distinct creative voice. Polite Society delivers the excitement and wish fulfillment associated with superhero movies without relying on existing intellectual property.

At its core, the movie is about a teenager fighting to protect her sister and prove herself, using exaggerated action as an extension of her emotions and imagination. Unfortunately, after an exciting Polite Society Sundance premiere, the movie never became a major box office hit. Despite earning strong reviews, it lacked the marketing push and star power needed to break through.

Yet that is exactly why movies like Polite Society matter. Original films with bold visual identities and unconventional storytelling can provide the kind of creative alternative audiences have been asking for. If superhero fatigue is a response to repetition, Polite Society shows the answer is not less spectacle but more originality.

Release Date

April 27, 2023

Runtime

104 minutes

Director

Nida Manzoor