Lovers of Hate

Rudy and Paul are brothers locked in a petty, persistent rivalry, and the arrival of Diana turns that feud into a romantic contest. What starts as competitive flirting quickly slides into awkward one-upmanship, misread signals, and scenes that are more painful than funny. Tensions spill into family dynamics, friendships get strained, and moments of genuine tenderness poke through the uncomfortable behavior. The film keeps its focus tight on those interpersonal clashes and the messy ways people try to prove themselves, avoiding big set pieces in favor of small, character-driven scenes that reveal who these people are without resolving everything neatly.

Lovers of Hate was released in 2010 and is directed by Bryan Poyser. The cast includes Chris Doubek as Rudy, Heather Kafka as Diana, Alex Karpovsky as Paul, and Zach Green as Dexter, and the film fits squarely in the indie comedy-drama tradition.

There are no widely reported major awards or nominations attached to the film. It didn’t make a splash on the awards circuit, and public recognition has stayed limited compared with larger studio releases.

In terms of cultural reach, Lovers of Hate has remained fairly obscure outside indie film circles. It hasn’t generated memorable catchphrases or viral moments, but a small audience appreciates its uncomfortable humor and the way ordinary pettiness is shown without glamorizing it. For viewers who track offbeat relationship films, it’s the kind of title that pops up as a minor curiosity rather than a touchstone.

Critical and audience response has been mixed to negative, reflected in a low average score around 4.7 out of 10 from viewers. Reviewers and watchers note its focus on flawed personalities, sibling rivalry, rivalry-driven masculinity, jealousy, and the awkwardness of dating, praising honesty in tone while often critiquing pacing and likability of the main players.