Movie review
November 18, 2021 · 144 min · PG-13
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
The movie keeps pushing the Black family's fight against racial barriers in the white tennis world the whole way through. Racial identity and overcoming prejudice drive the family's story and success. The father teaches the girls about racism and how to navigate a hostile environment.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for King Richard.
Woke representation / casting
Casting accurately reflects the real Black family with no forced diversity.
Woke political dialogue
Dialogue includes factual references to racism experienced by the family.
Identity-driven story themes
Racial challenges in white tennis world are central to the family's underdog story.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Historical portrayal of elite tennis world skepticism without modern activist reframing.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
No meaningful backlash claiming the title is too woke or pushes leftist propaganda.
Creator track record context
Director has a track record of identity and race-focused projects.
Production
