Movie review
September 29, 2021 · 163 min · PG-13
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
No Time to Die follows retired James Bond as he is pulled back into action to rescue a kidnapped scientist and confront a villain wielding DNA-targeted nanotech bioweapons. The narrative focuses on high-stakes espionage, personal revenge, and Bond’s emotional ties to his past love and young daughter. Visible woke elements include the prominent assignment of the 007 codename to a Black female agent Nomi and a casual on-screen confirmation that Q is gay.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for No Time to Die.
Woke representation / casting
Black woman assigned the iconic 007 codename plus visible gay Q character.
Woke political dialogue
Occasional modern banter and attitude updates without activist speeches.
Identity-driven story themes
Diverse competent agents and family focus present but not driving the core spy-revenge plot.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Subtle portrayal of an evolved MI6 with women and gay characters replacing old-school Bond norms.
Woke character or canon changes
Reassignment of the 007 number to a new Black female agent.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Widespread pre-release backlash over Nomi casting as forced diversity and woke identity signaling.
Creator track record context
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s feminist track record plus producers’ push for modernized female roles.
Production
