Movie review
May 18, 2023 · 135 min · PG
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
This 2023 live-action Disney remake of the 1989 animated film centers on the classic Andersen-derived plot of Ariel's deal with Ursula for human legs and true love, with only minor deviations such as making Scuttle female and adding a new adoptive mother character for Eric. Confirmed casting changes (Halle Bailey as Ariel) and creator statements framing the project around Black representation and updated female independence themes created a clearly noticeable emphasis, amplified by marketing and public debate. The core story remains family fantasy romance without explicit activist dialogue or institutional critique, but legacy canon alterations and backlash made representation the dominant audience-visible element.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for The Little Mermaid.
Woke representation / casting
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.
Woke political 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.
Woke character or canon changes
Race and gender reinterpretations of established 1989 characters publicly tied to diversity goals and sparked ideological debate.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Extensive, sustained backlash labeled "woke" for casting and inclusion; review-bombing and international coverage confirm high visibility.
Creator track record context
Miranda's diversity history provides moderate support; Marshall and Magee show no pattern, so not decisive.
Production
