Toy Story 4

The film places several women in visible roles, including Bo as the main action leader, Jessie as Bonnie’s new sheriff, Dolly as the toy-room boss, and Giggle as Bo’s police partner. The film also gives a brief background family scene with two women and a child. Release coverage highlighted Giggle as the first Asian American female character in the Toy Story universe. These choices are noticeable, but the ethnic identity does not shape the plot.

Bo Peep lives as a skilled lost toy who leads rescues and refuses to wait for a child to own her. She repeatedly gives Woody the plan while he follows, gets trapped, or needs her help. Jessie receives Woody’s sheriff badge, Dolly runs Bonnie’s toys, and Giggle works beside Bo. The brief two-mom family adds a queer identity note, but the larger message is about female independence and finding purpose outside old roles.

The film questions the old idea that a toy’s best life comes from serving one child forever. Bo lives happily without a child and helps many lost toys instead of joining a traditional home. Woody gives up his old role and accepts a freer life with Bo. The story does not attack churches, capitalism, or Western institutions, so this remains a mild cultural critique.

Bo Peep changes from a gentle love interest in the first two films into a tough, independent action leader. She uses her staff as a tool and weapon, wears practical clothes, and leads the rescue of Forky and her sheep. The filmmakers made her central to the film, and the story ends with Woody choosing her free life over returning to Bonnie’s room. This is a large identity-focused rewrite of an established character.

One Million Moms called for a boycott after a brief scene showed two women dropping off and later hugging a child. The group called the moment an LGBTQ agenda aimed at children. Small right-leaning accounts also called the scene woke and attacked Bo as a girlboss rewrite. The backlash was real and visible, but it was scattered and much smaller than major Disney culture fights.

Most of the listed writers, producers, and casting staff have low cached scores and no known activist record. Rashida Jones and Will McCormack have stronger links to public statements about diversity and workplace equality. John Lasseter had supported more female and ethnic characters at Pixar. Josh Cooley and the main producing team have no strong activist profile, so creator context is mild.