Movie review
September 5, 2025 · 160 min · PG-13
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Hamilton is the filmed version of the Broadway musical about Alexander Hamilton's life as a Caribbean immigrant who rises to help lead the American Revolution and shape the early United States government through ambition, political fights, and personal struggles. It uses hip-hop and rap music performed by a mostly Black, Latino, and Asian cast playing the white historical figures. The visible diverse casting and repeated emphasis on immigrant hard work and success stand out as the clearest audience elements that tie the old story to modern America.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Hamilton.
Woke representation / casting
Prominent roles feature non-white actors portraying white historical figures in a deliberate, highly visible way that mismatches the historical record and source biography. The creators have openly discussed this as intentional to reflect modern America.
Woke political dialogue
Some dialogue and songs emphasize immigrant grit and success with lines that resonate as pro-immigration messaging today. Core political scenes depict historical debates on policy like banking and debt, not modern social justice topics.
Identity-driven story themes
The overall premise presents historical events through a contemporary diverse lens via casting and hip-hop narration. However, the main character arcs center on personal ambition, legacy, rivalry, and family rather than identity politics or systemic critiques.
Western institutional / cultural critique
The story largely celebrates the American founding, revolution against British rule, and creation of key institutions. It mocks monarchy lightly but does not present Western traditions, family structures, or capitalism as inherently flawed or oppressive in activist terms.
Woke character or canon changes
Historical white figures are reimagined visually through actors of different races in a race-conscious casting choice that goes beyond typical adaptation liberties. This was a foundational creative decision discussed by the writer.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Right-leaning viewers and commentators have criticized the casting as forced diversity and historical revisionism for ideological reasons. The 2016 on-stage political address to Pence led to public calls for boycott from conservative audiences.
Creator track record context
Lin-Manuel Miranda has consistently created projects featuring diverse ensembles and stories of immigrants overcoming odds, and has spoken about representation making stories relevant to today's audiences. Collaborators show primarily professional rather than activist profiles.
Production
