The One and Only Ivan is a family drama about a silverback gorilla named Ivan who lives in a shopping mall circus. With the help of a stray dog and other animals, Ivan learns to paint and works to free a baby elephant from captivity. The story features mild, kid-friendly themes about protecting animals and freeing them from cages. These themes of animal welfare and compassion are visible throughout but remain focused entirely on the animals rather than modern human social issues.
Community feedback
Was our 21% Woke rating accurate?
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for The One and Only Ivan.
Woke representation / casting
The movie casts Hispanic actors to play the helper George and his daughter Julia. In the book drawings, these characters looked white. However, the film never talks about their race or makes it a part of the story. The rest of the voice actors are a mix of different backgrounds. This feels natural and is not used to push any political message.
22%
Woke political dialogue
The characters talk only about friendship, art, and helping animals. There are no speeches about modern social issues, politics, or gender roles. The dialogue is simple and safe for young children.
0%
Identity-driven story themes
The main themes are about being kind to animals, keeping promises, and wanting to be free. The story does not have any themes about human race, gender identity, or modern social-justice politics.
10%
Western institutional / cultural critique
The film is against keeping wild animals in mall circuses, which is a real thing that happened in the past. It does not attack Western culture, business, or traditional families. The main human owner is shown as a nice, caring man who made mistakes, rather than an evil boss.
0%
Woke character or canon changes
Not present in this title.
0%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
No viewers complained that this movie was pushing a progressive or left-wing political agenda. People from all backgrounds saw it as a normal and sweet story for families.
0%
Creator track record context
The author of the book and the director of the movie have worked on progressive and feminist projects in the past. However, the co-writer and the producers have very traditional records. This mixed team kept the movie focused entirely on being a standard family story.
35%
Production
Movie · 2024
The Herdman kids are undeniably the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, cheat, bully and overall terrorize their small community.
Movie · 2022
Follows Ralphie, now adult, who returns to the house on Cleveland Street to give his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had as a child, reconnecting with childhood friends…
Movie · 2021
The true story of Kurt Warner, who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback.
Movie · 2016
The incredible true story of the greatest walk-on in the history of college football.
Movie · 2017
The film follows a man with an unwanted gift for healing who meets a teenager with cancer who helps him to find himself.
Movie · 2022
Two years after a Super Bowl win when NFL head coach Sean Payton is suspended, he goes back to his hometown and finds himself reconnecting with his 12-year-old son by coaching his…
Movie · 2023
After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, the Mallard family embarks on a family road trip, from New England, to New York City…
Movie · 2015
When 11-year-old Riley moves to a new city, her Emotions team up to help her through the transition. Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness work together, but when Joy and Sadness…
