Is there DEI in Twisted Metal?

The biggest factors in our score are Woke representation / casting, Identity-driven story themes, Western institutional / cultural critique. A motor-mouthed outsider with no memory of his past is offered a chance at a better life, but only if he can successfully deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. With the help of a badass axe-wielding car thief, he’ll face savage marauders driving vehicles of destruction and other dangers of the open road, including a deranged clown who drives an all too familiar ice cream truck.

TV Show review

Twisted Metal

Q: Is Twisted Metal woke?

Twisted Metal has a woke score of 45/100, which means it is mixed, with noticeable woke elements. Twisted Metal is a post-apocalyptic action comedy series about a talkative delivery driver with no memory who teams up with a tough car thief to cross a dangerous wasteland. In season two the story adds a tournament and a group led by the driver's sister that fights to end the divide between people living safely inside walled cities and those struggling outside. The show has some background lesbian characters and strong female action parts.

Review basis: 2 seasons, 22 episodes · through August 28, 2025

July 27, 2023 · TV-MA · Returning Series

Woke Score

45/ 100

Lower is better

7.3 / 10IMDb↗79%Critics88%Audience↗

ComedyActionAdventure

Review

Summary

Twisted Metal is a post-apocalyptic action comedy series about a talkative delivery driver with no memory who teams up with a tough car thief to cross a dangerous wasteland. In season two the story adds a tournament and a group led by the driver's sister that fights to end the divide between people living safely inside walled cities and those struggling outside. The show has some background lesbian characters and strong female action parts.

Breakdown

Factors & Ratings

These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Twisted Metal.

Woke representation / casting

Prominent action roles for women, including Stephanie Beatriz as the axe-wielding Quiet and Tiana Okoye leading a mostly female vigilante group called the Dolls. Anthony Mackie stars as the lead. Some viewers noted men often appearing less capable than the women.

40 / 100

Woke political dialogue

Season 2 includes talk of ending inequality between people inside walled cities and those outside. The language stays light and tied to the action-comedy story.

20 / 100

Identity-driven story themes

Season 2 centers on Quiet joining her sister's group fighting for equality and tearing down barriers between insiders and outsiders. Season 1 has a lesbian couple as side characters and bisexual hints for Quiet.

37 / 100

Western institutional / cultural critique

The story shows walled cities as safe places for the privileged while outsiders suffer. Characters work to bring down the walls for shared access to safety and resources. This is mainly a class divide framed in the plot.

Production

Production companies: PlayStation Productions, Electric Avenue, Sony Pictures Television, Artists First, Inspire Entertainment, Universal Television, Make It With Gravy Productions, Wicked Deed, Reese Wernick Productions
Networks: Peacock

Main Cast

Anthony Mackieas John Doe
Stephanie Beatrizas Quiet
Nuufolau Joel Seanoaas Sweet Tooth
Will Arnettas Sweet Tooth (voice)
Thomas Haden Churchas Agent Stone
Anthony Carriganas Calypso
Richard Cabralas Loud
Lou Beatty Jr.as Tommy

Director & Crew

Anthony MackieProducer22 episodes credited for this role (TMDB aggregate — higher usually means a recurring or lead creative role).
Asad QizilbashProducer22 episodes credited for this role (TMDB aggregate — higher usually means a recurring or lead creative role).
Carter SwanProducer22 episodes credited for this role (TMDB aggregate — higher usually means a recurring or lead creative role).
Peter PrincipatoProducer22 episodes credited for this role (TMDB aggregate — higher usually means a recurring or lead creative role).
Will ArnettProducer22 episodes credited for this role (TMDB aggregate — higher usually means a recurring or lead creative role).
Grant DeKernionWriter4 episodes credited for this role (TMDB aggregate — higher usually means a recurring or lead creative role).

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