Movie review
March 1, 2024 · 104 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Problemista is a surreal comedy-drama about Alejandro, an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador in New York City, who races against his expiring work visa by assisting an erratic art-world figure while chasing his dream at Hasbro. The narrative uses whimsical, absurd visuals to depict his struggles with bureaucracy, odd jobs, and the art scene. Queer representation appears through supporting cast choices and a brief same-sex fetish encounter. Satirical elements target the U.S. immigration system and capitalist hurdles as recurring absurd obstacles.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Problemista.
Woke representation / casting
Visible queer and trans supporting cast plus one gay sex scene deliver LGBTQ emphasis.
Woke political dialogue
Satirical observations on bureaucracy without explicit activist speeches.
Identity-driven story themes
Immigrant belonging and aspiration drive the core narrative with background queer elements.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Surreal satire hits U.S. immigration bureaucracy and capitalist petty indignities in personal comedic context.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Fringe notes on queer elements only; no significant backlash claiming activist or identity-political push.
Creator track record context
Torres' prior queer-inclusive surreal work with immigrant themes aligns with content.
Production
