Movie review
January 24, 2020 · 110 min · PG-13
Woke Score
Lower is better
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Boys State.
Woke representation / casting
Pre-selected progressive minority boys to highlight contrasts with conservative group.
Woke political dialogue
Features attacks over immigration, gun control, abortion.
Identity-driven story themes
Racial and background identity central to featured arcs and conflicts.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Portrays masculine conservative politics as chaotic and flawed.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Review
The documentary centers on progressive minority boys (Hispanic Steven Garza and Black René Otero) in a conservative Texas Boys State program and keeps pushing their racial backgrounds and identity clashes the whole way through. It shows racist memes against Otero and attacks on Garza over his immigrant family history, March for Our Lives activism, and progressive stances. The filmmakers frame the all-boy masculine political culture and conservative tactics as chaotic, tribal, and flawed. Production choices and creator interviews tie it directly to critiques of masculinity in politics.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Minimal backlash claiming too woke; some masculinity framing in reviews.
Creator track record context
Progressive producer and directors' focus on political and gender dynamics in follow-up work.
Production
