Bad President (2020)

A satirical comedy imagines a deal with the Devil as the secret behind a presidential campaign.

Political satire has always been a part of cinema, and few real-world figures have inspired as many comedies as modern presidents. Bad President, directed by Param Gill and released on VOD on October 12, 2020, is an independent black comedy that takes aim at the 2016 election. Its premise is simple and outrageous: what if the Devil helped Donald Trump win?

The Premise

The film is presented as a mock true story. It follows Donald Trump, played by Jeff Rector, as he campaigns for the presidency. Behind the scenes, the Devil himself, played by Eddie Griffin, makes a deal with the candidate. The movie highlights some of the campaign’s best-known moments and exaggerates them for comic effect.

Stormy Daniels appears as herself, and the cast also includes Dawna Lee Heising. The film runs around ninety minutes, and its tone is broad and silly rather than subtle.

Who Made It

Param Gill directed the film and produced it, and he wrote the screenplay with John Buchanan. It was sold internationally by VMI Worldwide, and its Cannes announcement in 2020 drew attention because of its subject and its cast. Like many independent comedies, it was made quickly and on a modest budget.

The tagline, a play on a famous campaign slogan, signals the film’s comic intent.

Eddie Griffin as the Devil

Many reviewers singled out Eddie Griffin as the best part of the film. Griffin brings his well-known comic energy to the role of Satan, delivering jokes with relish and giving the movie a boost whenever he appears. Critics said that he single-handedly lifts the material, and that his performance is a highlight.

Jeff Rector plays the president with exaggerated mannerisms. Reviewers noted that the impression is more cartoonish than precise, and that the makeup is rough, but his performance still earns laughs.

Structure and Style

Bad President is built as a series of connected comic sketches rather than a tightly plotted story. The film moves from one moment of the campaign to another, adding jokes about the people involved. Some viewers found this approach lively and others thought it made the film feel like a highlight reel.

Low production values are visible throughout, from simple sets to costume choices. That limitation is part of the film’s style, which resembles a live sketch show more than a polished feature.

Reaction From Critics and Audiences

Reaction to the film was mixed, and it depended heavily on the viewer’s politics and comedic tastes. Film Threat gave it a favorable review, calling it a cathartic comedy with a few chuckles and recommending it lightly. UK Film Review enjoyed its goofy performances. Other critics were harsher, saying that the sets were flimsy and the comedy borrowed from familiar sketches.

Audience responses were also divided. Supporters of the former president generally disliked the film, while viewers who were critical of him found more to enjoy. That polarization is typical of political comedy, which tends to speak to those who already agree with its point of view.

A Long Tradition of Satire

Political satire has a long tradition, from stage farces to television sketches and movies. The best examples find humor in real events while saying something sharper about power and human behavior. Bad President takes a very direct approach, relying on parody and exaggeration rather than deeper analysis.

Whether that approach works is largely a matter of taste. Some viewers want pointed commentary, while others simply want a laugh at the expense of public figures.

Final Thoughts

Bad President is a low-budget, openly partisan comedy that will appeal most to viewers who enjoy broad political parody. Eddie Griffin’s performance is the clear highlight, and the film’s short length keeps it moving. Those looking for subtle satire may be disappointed, but fans of silly, irreverent humor may find it a fun diversion.

Director: Param Gill. Writers: Param Gill and John Buchanan. Cast: Eddie Griffin, Jeff Rector, Stormy Daniels, Dawna Lee Heising.