Is Last Night in Soho woke?
Movie · 2021
Last Night in Soho has a wokeness score of 7/10, which we rate as Strongly Ideological. Woke messaging is very prominent and often feels forced or shoehorned in. Characters and plot are primarily shaped to serve the ideology. Many viewers feel the agenda overshadows the entertainment.
Key points
- Film explicitly critiques toxic masculinity and sexual exploitation of women across decades as central horror element.
- Nostalgia for the 1960s is portrayed as dangerous delusion masking widespread misogyny and violence.
- Twist reframes female victim as empowered killer of male abusers to underscore ongoing gender dangers.
Wokeness analysis
Last Night in Soho centers on a young woman's time-hopping visions into the Swinging Sixties, where the glamorous facade of 1960s London is stripped away to reveal systemic misogyny, toxic masculinity, sexual exploitation, and violence against women. Director Edgar Wright and co-writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns explicitly frame the story as a rebuke to nostalgia, emphasizing that the era's 'liberation' was illusory for women who faced predation, forced prostitution, and murder. The narrative draws direct parallels between past and present dangers, portraying male characters as largely predatory or enabling, while female leads endure trauma that echoes across generations. The twist—revealing the 1960s woman as a vengeful survivor who killed her abusers—aims for 'female empowerment' but has drawn criticism for demonizing sex work victims and subverting expectations in a heavy-handed way. Reviews highlight the film's intentional social commentary on #MeToo-era themes, with Wright citing research into real historical crimes against women as inspiration. A token supportive male character of color is included, but the core message prioritizes critiques of male behavior and romanticized history over pure entertainment. While visually stylish and story-driven in parts, the ideological focus on gender-based oppression feels prominent and shapes character arcs and plot resolutions to deliver the thesis, alienating some viewers seeking escapism.
Plot
Aspiring fashion designer Eloise 'Ellie' Turner moves to London for school and rents a Soho bedsit from elderly landlady Ms. Collins. A fan of 1960s music and style, Ellie begins dreaming she is transported back to Swinging London as glamorous singer Sandie, who aspires to stardom but descends into exploitation by her manager Jack and predatory men. Visions turn nightmarish as Ellie witnesses abuse, forced prostitution, and apparent murder. In the present, Ellie investigates, confronting blurred lines between past and present, mental health struggles, and a shocking twist revealing Sandie's true fate and survival. The psychological thriller blends horror, nostalgia, and generational trauma through stylish visuals and performances by Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy.
Analyzed by AI on September 13, 2026