Assholes: A Theory

A gravely depressing survey of a 21st century in thrall-in several crucial arenas-to humanity's worst impulses.

There's much humour but also a few swift kicks to the derriere delivered in the doc, including to supposedly mild-mannered Canadians.

A compelling documentary which asks what constitutes an asshole, how assholes succeed in society, and what can be done about it, if anything

For a documentary that barely cracks the 80-minute length, Assholes: A Theory covers a lot of ground and even dares to provide a solution: don't enable assholery. Denounce it, don't celebrate it. Seems like sound advice.

The inspiration for him to make this film was reading the book Aaron James' book of the same name. It caused him to want to explore why. Why that type of person seems to be everywhere you turn today?

It's maybe not as funny as Walker wants it to be - a burbly jazz score tries very hard to force some lightness into the material - but it'll leave you thinking...

Walker spreads himself wide in this lightly sociological, somewhat silly doc, focusing on many locales where homo anus flourishes: Fraternities, social media, Hollywood, Silicon Valley and Wall Street.

It's worth pointing out the restraint shown in the section about electing assholes to run your country.