Movie review
November 14, 2019 · 118 min · PG-13
Woke Score
Lower is better
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Charlie's Angels.
Woke representation / casting
Diverse ethnic backgrounds in the three lead female spy roles and several cameos, including Laverne Cox; visible to audiences and fits modern global-agency setting without story focus on race or identity.
Woke political dialogue
Includes a sarcastic "girl power" line and brief emphasis on women overcoming dismissive male authority, but no extended lectures or references to current political issues.
Identity-driven story themes
Strong focus on female teamwork, sisterhood, and capability in action roles with an "anyone can be an Angel" message; pop-feminism tone is noticeable but stays light and genre-driven rather than heavy identity politics.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Minor scene of a sexist male boss ignoring a female inventor's warning; no broader attack on capitalism, patriarchy, or Western systems.
Review
Charlie's Angels (2019) is an action comedy directed by Elizabeth Banks. It follows three female spies who protect a new sustainable energy device invented by a young engineer from being turned into a weapon by a traitor inside their agency. The story centers on female teamwork, quick thinking, and physical skill in a globe-trotting adventure. It includes visible diversity in the lead cast and light empowerment lines that give it a noticeable feminist tone in places.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant. New original story and characters with no ideological alterations to prior canon or historical figures.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Clear audience and commentator complaints about feminist marketing, self-conscious empowerment messaging, and Banks' post-release remarks blaming men and media; frequently called out as agenda-driven or "woke."
Creator track record context
Elizabeth Banks shows moderate left-leaning positions and initial feminist framing of the film; co-writers and most producers have minimal public records of activism or identity focus.
Production
