Movie review
November 16, 2023 · 117 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
May December is a 2023 drama in which an actress arrives in Savannah to research her role in a film about a couple whose relationship began as a statutory rape scandal 20 years prior. The story unfolds through interviews and interactions that expose layers of denial, trauma, and performative normalcy within the family. The narrative centers on psychological exploration and media sensationalism.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for May December.
Woke representation / casting
Casting aligns with story without visible forced diversity or identity signaling.
Woke political dialogue
No explicit activist or political dialogue.
Identity-driven story themes
Narrative driven by grooming trauma and denial rather than identity politics.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Satirizes tabloid media and true-crime exploitation; avoids modern activist systemic framing.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Production
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
No significant woke backlash; limited to real-subject exploitation concerns.
Creator track record context
Haynes and Vachon have relevant history in identity and repression themes.
