
Movie review
The Little Mermaid
Woke Score
Lower is better
- Release Date
- May 18, 2023
- Age Rating
- PG
- Runtime
- 135 min
Where to Watch
United States · Last checked 5/12/2026
Rent
Availability data from TMDb watch providers, powered by JustWatch. Confirm availability on the provider before subscribing or renting.
Breakdown
Factors & Ratings
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for The Little Mermaid.
Representation / casting choices
Confirmed race swap of iconic white/redhead Ariel to Black actress plus gender swap for Scuttle and added Black supporting character; heavily emphasized in marketing and Bailey's statements on visibility for Black girls.
Political / ideological dialogue
No explicit activist lines; mild updates per Bailey on female independence/freedom, but incidental to romance plot.
Identity-driven story themes
Ariel's arc reframed slightly around personal purpose and independence ("as women we are amazing... Disney is updating some of those themes" – Bailey), yet remains classic fantasy romance.
Legacy character or canon changes
Race and gender reinterpretations of established 1989 characters publicly tied to diversity goals and sparked ideological debate.
