Movie review
September 27, 2022 · 134 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Amsterdam.
Woke representation / casting
Prominent Black actor John David Washington plays a 1930s lawyer alongside white co-stars in a diverse ensemble; choices fit the story world without major historical mismatches or heavy marketing emphasis on identity.
Woke political dialogue
The plot includes discussions of fascism, rich elites plotting against democracy, and racism, with some critics pointing out parallels to contemporary right-wing politics and a clear anti-racist resolution.
Identity-driven story themes
The core focuses on friendship among war veterans and a historical murder-conspiracy mystery; no emphasis on gender, sexuality, queer issues, or modern personal identity struggles.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Wealthy white businessmen are shown as fascist plotters and racists threatening democracy, with framing that links the 1930s events to modern elite and right-leaning power critiques.
Review
Amsterdam is a 2022 mystery comedy drama set in the 1930s. Three World War I veterans—a doctor, a nurse, and a lawyer—reunite to investigate a murder and uncover a conspiracy by wealthy businessmen to overthrow the U.S. government, loosely based on the real 1933 Business Plot. The story centers on friendship, war trauma, and defending democracy against fascism and racism, with critics noting some parallels to modern politics, though these elements support the plot rather than dominate it with lectures or identity focus.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant; the film uses the real Business Plot as loose inspiration with fictional characters and events.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Very little specific anti-woke criticism exists; main complaints targeted the messy story, while one review noted overly cautious racial portrayals and performative anti-racism, but no broad claims of pushed DEI messaging.
Creator track record context
David O. Russell’s early union and political work was classical left-leaning but not identity-focused; recent films avoid strong activist framing. Christian Bale supports environmental and humanitarian causes. Other creatives show minimal patterns.
Production
