
Movie review
December 28, 2022 · 126 min · PG-13
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
The movie includes a transgender teen character Malcolm who Otto’s wife supported and treated as a girl. Otto accepts him after the father kicks him out and calls the dad an idiot. The narrative centers on the quick-witted pregnant Marisol and her family forcing Otto to engage with diverse neighbors and change his ways. It shows the greedy real estate company as villains exploiting and evicting vulnerable people.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for A Man Called Otto.
Woke representation / casting
Transgender teen character Malcolm played by trans actor in visible supporting role.
Woke political dialogue
Otto affirms trans identity and calls the rejecting father an idiot.
Identity-driven story themes
Trans acceptance subplot contributes to Otto’s redemption through community.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Corporate real estate company and transphobic family portrayed as villains.
Woke character or canon changes
Changed gay character from source material to transgender.
Production
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Some backlash over trans subplot as forced woke propaganda.
Creator track record context
No relevant prior work cited.