Movie review
December 20, 2017 · 93 min · PG-13
Woke Score
Lower is better
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Pitch Perfect 3.
Woke representation / casting
Ensemble features natural ethnic mix and one established lesbian character in a U.S. college group setting; no audience-visible signaling, mismatches, or quota-style emphasis in story or marketing.
Woke political dialogue
No activist speeches, institutional critiques, or identity-focused conversations; dialogue stays comedic and song-driven.
Identity-driven story themes
Core focus remains friendship, career struggles, and musical performance with only light, genre-typical female-group energy and no modern social-justice or identity-politics arcs.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Positive depiction of U.S. military through USO tour and army protection; no portrayals of toxic masculinity, patriarchy, or Western institutions as flawed.
Review
Pitch Perfect 3 follows the Barden Bellas after they graduate college and struggle with unfulfilling jobs before reuniting for one last overseas USO tour filled with a cappella performances, comedy sketches, and group misadventures. The story centers on friendship, post-graduation life, and musical routines without any prominent political or activist messaging. The ensemble includes natural ethnic diversity and a recurring lesbian character, but these serve standard comedic purposes in a mainstream entertainment format rather than identity-focused storytelling.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
No documented right-leaning or anti-woke complaints treating the film as DEI or identity-driven propaganda.
Creator track record context
Team includes Elizabeth Banks with moderate liberal advocacy and Kay Cannon with feminist comedy leanings, offset by Mike White’s noted opposition to identity politics barriers and other low-profile entertainment-focused producers; overall pattern remains commercial rather than activist.
Production
