Movie review
February 23, 2021 · 84 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
A tense rural Utah drama follows David, a father of four, as he spirals during a trial separation from his wife Nikki, who begins seeing another man while the couple tries to co-parent. The story unfolds almost entirely from David's jealous, volatile perspective as he fights to preserve the family unit. The narrative centers on his emotional breakdown and the pressures of traditional male roles.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for The Killing of Two Lovers.
Woke representation / casting
Casting includes ethnic diversity in a rural Utah setting with no forced signaling or audience-visible mismatch complaints.
Woke political dialogue
No explicit political or activist dialogue.
Identity-driven story themes
Story revolves around the male protagonist's crisis of jealousy, emotional repression, and family roles.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Critiques toxic masculinity and traditional male emotional norms through the protagonist's arc and gun symbolism, as stated by the director.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant.
Production
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Absent; no backlash claiming woke, activist, or identity-political messaging.
Creator track record context
Director and lead actor/producer have a pattern of framing projects around toxic masculinity and male pressures.
