Movie review
November 23, 2018 · 120 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
The Favourite is a 2018 dark satirical comedy-drama set in early 18th-century England. It follows the intense rivalry between cousins Sarah Churchill and Abigail Hill as they scheme and compete to become the favorite of the frail Queen Anne through court manipulation, ambition, and intimate relationships. The story highlights female-driven power plays and queer-tinged sexual dynamics in a historical setting, delivered with absurdist humor that focuses on human flaws, pettiness, and cruelty rather than modern social justice messaging.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for The Favourite.
Woke representation / casting
Period-accurate all-white cast with strong all-female leads that fit the historical story world; Emma Stone’s role aligns naturally with the character; no visible diversity signaling or mismatches.
Woke political dialogue
Sharp, profane satire on court ambition, war, and personal rivalry using era-appropriate language; no modern activist slogans or identity-based arguments.
Identity-driven story themes
Prominent female rivalry and intimate/sexual relationships between women form the core engine; queer elements are audience-visible and central but presented as tools of historical power and manipulation rather than affirmation.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Absurdist mockery of monarchy, political maneuvering, and gender performance (effeminate men, dominant women); stays within historical satire and avoids modern systemic critiques of patriarchy, capitalism, or Western institutions.
Woke character or canon changes
Takes clear artistic liberties with Queen Anne’s health, personality, and relationships for comedic effect; changes serve satire, not current identity or ideological reinterpretation.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
No notable right-leaning or anti-woke complaints accusing the film of pushing identity politics, DEI, or left-wing messaging; criticism instead centered on artistic style or whether it was sufficiently feminist.
Creator track record context
Key team members maintain low-to-moderate public activist profiles focused on artistic storytelling; casting director carries a higher diversity reputation from other work, but it does not drive visible choices here.
Production
