Movie review
January 31, 2020 · 85 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
This 2020 Netflix documentary follows Taylor Swift through her Reputation tour, the creation of *Lover*, personal struggles including body image issues and family health challenges, and her shift toward public political engagement. The core narrative tracks her rejection of the “nice girl” persona in favor of using her platform for activism. It visibly centers feminist empowerment, deprogramming misogyny, and LGBTQ+ allyship through explicit statements and featured queer figures.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Miss Americana.
Woke representation / casting
Prominent visible LGBTQ+ allyship featuring Todrick Hall and drag queens.
Woke political dialogue
Explicit activist dialogue on women’s and LGBTQ rights plus direct political endorsements framed as moral right versus wrong.
Identity-driven story themes
Core narrative is Swift’s feminist identity awakening and harnessing her voice as a woman for activism.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Portrays industry gender expectations and conservative “values” as oppressive to women and LGBTQ+ people.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Some conservative criticism of the political and LGBTQ messaging as Swift turning woke, but mixed and not overwhelming.
Creator track record context
Director Lana Wilson has a documented pattern of feminist activist documentaries.
Production
