Movie review
December 8, 2021 · 156 min · PG-13
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Steven Spielberg's 2021 remake adapts the classic musical about star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria from rival New York gangs—the white Jets and Puerto Rican Sharks—whose relationship fuels deadly ethnic tensions. The story centers on prejudice, gang violence, and tragic romance in 1950s Manhattan. It includes visible updates for representation, such as a transgender reinterpretation of the character Anybodys and dialogue confronting toxic masculinity.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for West Side Story.
Woke representation / casting
Latino casting for Sharks roles and non-binary actor for trans role signals modern identity priorities.
Woke political dialogue
Modern anti-toxic masculinity speech added to confront male entitlement and behavior.
Identity-driven story themes
Transgender identity arc drives supporting character's development and acceptance.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Recurring attacks on toxic masculinity, patriarchy, and gentrification as flawed systems.
Woke character or canon changes
Anybodys canon changed to transgender with expanded arc; new Valentina speeches added.
Production
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Moderate anti-woke backlash over trans character and "woke remake" updates.
Creator track record context
Writer Tony Kushner has clear history of activist identity-politics projects.
