Movie review
The Lighthouse
Woke Score
Lower is better
- Release Date
- October 18, 2019
- Age Rating
- R
- Runtime
- 109 min
Where to Watch
United States · Last checked 5/13/2026
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Breakdown
Factors & Ratings
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for The Lighthouse.
Representation / casting choices
Casting fits the 1890s isolated New England outpost perfectly with two white male leads; no audience-visible diversity emphasis, swaps, or signaling.
Political / ideological dialogue
Dialogue stays in character as period swearing, tall tales, and raw personal conflict with zero modern activist language or messaging.
Identity-driven story themes
Explores toxic power dynamics, domination, and repressed male desire between the two leads through 1890s psychological and folklore lenses; director noted homoerotic subtext but presented it as historical rather than contemporary identity affirmation.
Institutional / cultural critique
Personal and hierarchical conflicts unfold in a historical maritime setting; no reframing as modern activist critique of patriarchy, capitalism, or Western norms.