
Movie review
February 15, 2018 · 140 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Red Sparrow keeps pushing Dominika's girlboss empowerment and revenge against the men who sexually exploited her in the Russian spy world. The story centers on her using her body and wits to dominate and outsmart the sadistic males and the state that owns women's bodies. Visible lesbian characters and a gay training scene add queer signaling throughout.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Red Sparrow.
Woke representation / casting
visible lesbian supporting characters and gay minor role
Woke political dialogue
speech on West's racial divisions plus tolerance for gay prisoner
Identity-driven story themes
centers on female survival and revenge against sexual exploitation with queer elements
Western institutional / cultural critique
Russian men and state portrayed as sadistic exploiters of women
Woke character or canon changes
Production
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
absent anti-woke backlash with complaints instead about exploitation
Creator track record context
director's Hunger Games work features strong female and rebellion themes