TV Show review
February 7, 2020 · TV-14 · Ended
Woke Score
Lower is better
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Locke & Key.
Woke representation / casting
Diverse supporting cast with authentic autistic and disabled portrayals that fit the story world; minor visible inclusion of gay character Duncan and Identity Key transformations for plot utility.
Woke political dialogue
No activist speeches, systemic critiques, or modern political framing; dialogue stays within family grief, key powers, and supernatural conflict.
Identity-driven story themes
Background Identity Key enables gender/appearance swaps for deception (expanded from comics' Gender Key); gay uncle exists as supporting detail without focal messaging or queer-centric arcs.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Story offers no modern takes on patriarchy, capitalism, colonialism, or Western institutions; conflict remains timeless family secrets versus demonic evil.
Review
Locke & Key follows three siblings who move into their late father's ancestral Massachusetts mansion after his murder and discover a collection of magical keys that grant extraordinary powers while revealing long-buried family secrets and an ancient demonic threat. The three-season series blends supernatural mystery, fantasy adventure, and family drama centered on grief, trauma, and sibling bonds. An adaptation change renames and broadens the source comics' Gender Key into an Identity Key used for plot-driven disguises and transformations, while supporting characters include a gay uncle with brief backstory mention and authentic disability casting that fits the setting naturally.
Woke character or canon changes
Netflix adaptation replaced comics' Gender Key with broader Identity Key and adjusted some structure/tone for TV-14 accessibility; Duncan’s orientation carried over but downplayed.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Minimal scattered online grumbling about incidental elements like a pride flag or diversity; zero organized right-leaning campaigns or major "agenda" accusations—criticism stayed on storytelling flaws.
Creator track record context
Key figures (Cuse, Averill, Hill, most directors/producers) show low or zero activist patterns; mild progressive leanings in isolated cases do not shape content or marketing.
Production
