Movie review
September 5, 2018 · 107 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
The Predator is a 2018 science fiction action film in the long-running Predator franchise. A team of soldiers with PTSD and a scientist must stop two advanced alien hunters after a crash landing brings their technology into human hands, including a device that reaches an autistic boy. The story includes a brief reference to climate change as one reason for the aliens' urgency and makes the boy's autism a key plot element by portraying it as a special trait the Predators seek for their own evolution.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for The Predator.
Woke representation / casting
The ensemble includes Black and Latino actors in military roles plus a female scientist in a modern U.S. setting. This matches realistic demographics without visible identity signaling, commentary, or mismatch with the story world.
Woke political dialogue
One brief line references climate change as a plot device explaining alien behavior. No extended speeches, activist language, or ideological arguments appear.
Identity-driven story themes
The autistic boy's condition drives a major subplot as a "special" evolutionary trait the aliens want. This uses a classic inspirational-trope approach that drew heavy criticism from autistic audiences as stereotypical rather than any modern affirmation of neurodiversity as identity.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Standard sci-fi government conspiracy and secrecy elements exist. No modern activist framing of patriarchy, capitalism, traditional norms, or cultural institutions.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant. This is an original story using the existing Predator universe with all new characters.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
A few online viewers mentioned the diverse cast or autism element as forced, but no major campaign, media coverage, or widespread right-leaning complaints framed the film as pushing DEI or identity politics. Most backlash targeted execution and the unrelated casting scandal.
Creator track record context
The core writing and directing team built careers on 1980s-1990s action and genre films with zero documented activist, identity-driven, or social-justice patterns. One casting director carries a higher diversity reputation from other work, but it shows no unusual application here.
Production
