“The End of Oak Street” is a sci-fi thriller featuring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor that tells the story of a suburban family in 1982 whose neighborhood is unexpectedly transported through a wormhole into a world filled with dinosaurs. The film has sparked mixed reviews; critics generally seem to appreciate it, while audience reactions are varied. Some viewers enjoy the nostalgic, surprising elements, but others have pointed out flaws like plot holes and pacing problems.
Steve Deace, a host on BlazeTV, is among the critics who have voiced concerns. However, his criticisms focus less on narrative issues and more on the underlying “worldview” presented by the film. In a recent episode of his show, he candidly shares his thoughts, including spoilers. “We really need to delve into what this film promotes, and since it’s not exactly a masterpiece, I’m okay with revealing key details,” he comments.
His primary criticism centers around the characters. McGregor portrays Greg Platt, a father who struggles financially and secretly delivers pizzas. Hathaway plays Denise, his wife, who harbors her own unspoken frustrations. Behind the scenes, she’s been writing a semi-autobiographical book about a woman intent on leaving her family, but only her bitter neighbor knows this.
Their daughter, Audry, is characterized as a cosmology-obsessed lesbian who dreams of attending Cornell to study under the renowned Carl Sagan, who famously stated, “The cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be.” Deace finds a sense of irony here, noting that modern science contradicts Sagan’s assertion, suggesting that the universe indeed has a beginning and will come to an end.
The couple’s younger son, Brian, also has his personal story arc, where he has a crush on a new girl named Jeanette, who surprisingly likes his sister instead. Deace smirks as he observes the seeds of various storylines being planted here.
As dinosaurs begin wreaking havoc, the illusion of the family’s happiness shatters. Deace points out that the father loses his job, but feels too intimidated by his wife to confess this, resorting instead to drinking in the garage while working nights to make ends meet.
Eventually, Greg stumbles upon Denise’s secret book, which reveals her feelings of being undervalued and trapped in her role as a housewife. She expresses a yearning for freedom and self-discovery, which Deace summarizes as her “feminist manifesto.” The intertwining crushes between Audry, Brian, and Jeanette illustrate the film’s message that “Everything in the suburbs is a lie.”
Deace argues that the film critiques the idealized version of the 1980s—pointing out that the past people long for may never have existed in the way they believe. He also suggests that women were exploited, and men failed to fulfill their roles, resulting in issues in raising their children.
However, the narrative takes an unexpected turn when, during a confrontation with a Tyrannosaurus rex, the father—whom everyone underestimated—steps in to save them. Tragically, he sacrifices himself and, in that moment, the family realizes their shortcomings, overwhelmed with regret and sorrow.
The film concludes somewhat optimistically, as the Platt family travels back through the wormhole to save Greg and the other victims. Deace notes the irony of this ending, as it portrays the very nuclear family structure they spent the whole film dismantling. “What’s the takeaway? I honestly have no clue,” he adds.
To catch more of his insights, viewers can check out the video on his show.
