Tribes tells the story of an African American, an Arab-American and a white guy who try to rob a subway wagon. Because none of them wants to rob people of their own race, it sets them off to a series of arguments over self-identity. This leads the would-be bandits to continually divide the passengers into various ethnic, cultural and economic subgroups in an effort to find a class of people that none of them identify with - a group they can feel good about robbing. When the train arrives at the next station, no one expects that the situation would be reversed. Self-identity is truly a bitch.
Writing
Tight dialogue that weaponizes liberal guilt hilariously.
Acting
Trio's chemistry sells the escalating ridiculousness.
Direction
Aldi squeezes maximum tension from single subway car.
Director
Nino Aldi
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film satirizes 'progressive' identity politics by showing how quickly solidarity crumbles when personal gain enters the room.
Released during 2020's racial reckoning, its discomfort with performative wokeness hit different than intended—some found it prescient, others dated.
US
