Movie review
June 3, 2022 · 117 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
A down-on-his-luck NBA scout discovers a raw but talented street player in Spain and risks his career to bring him to the United States for a shot at the NBA draft. The narrative centers on perseverance, mentorship, family support, and the grind of professional basketball in a straightforward sports drama. Director Jeremiah Zagar intentionally cast an interracial family dynamic with Queen Latifah as the scout’s wife. No other audience-visible identity politics, activist dialogue, or social-justice themes drive the story.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Hustle.
Woke representation / casting
Director intentionally cast Queen Latifah as the scout’s wife for an interracial family dynamic.
Woke political dialogue
No activist or political dialogue present.
Identity-driven story themes
No identity-driven arcs or messaging.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Generic unsympathetic team owner as obstacle; no modern activist framing of patriarchy, systemic oppression, or similar.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Fringe mentions only; no major backlash claiming too woke or forced identity politics.
Creator track record context
Director’s prior queer Latinx film framed politically; LeBron James producer has activism history.
Production
