Is National Anthem woke?
Movie · 2023
National Anthem has a wokeness score of 9/10, which we rate as Activist / Didactic. The story exists mainly to deliver a woke ideological lecture. Themes are heavy-handed, preachy, and feel forced or unnatural. Entertainment value is secondary, and viewers frequently feel lectured or alienated.
Key points
- Centers plot on protagonist's awakening in a utopian queer rodeo community featuring trans and non-binary characters.
- Prominently showcases drag performances, gender fluidity, open relationships, and challenges to traditional masculinity.
- Frames rural queer life as idyllic found family resisting conservative norms, with timely nods to anti-LGBTQ legislation.
Wokeness analysis
National Anthem (2023) centers its entire narrative on a young man's immersion in a utopian queer rodeo community at the 'House of Splendor' ranch, explicitly celebrating transgender, non-binary, and drag identities as vibrant expressions of the American dream. Directed by Luke Gilford and inspired by his photography book on America's Queer Rodeo, the film features prominent trans actress Eve Lindley as Sky (Pepe's trans girlfriend and barrel racer), non-binary actor Mason Alexander Park as Carrie (a drag artist who applies makeup to Dylan and shares stories of family rejection for coming out), and scenes of drag performances, open relationships, threesomes, and a drag rendition of the national anthem framed as resistance to anti-drag laws. Reviews highlight its deliberate avoidance of queer trauma tropes in favor of portraying rural queer life as an idyllic, inclusive haven that disrupts traditional masculinity and conservative norms. The story prioritizes sexual fluidity, found family among marginalized LGBTQ+ rodeo performers, and subtle challenges to heteronormative expectations through Dylan's awakening, with critics noting its timeliness amid rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment. While visually striking and focused on self-discovery, the messaging about gender exploration, queer joy in conservative spaces, and reimagining Americana as inclusive of drag queens and trans riders feels intentional and dominant, often overshadowing plot in favor of ideological affirmation. Conservative-leaning viewers describe it as promoting progressive identity politics in unexpected rural settings, rendering entertainment secondary to social commentary on acceptance and fluidity.
Plot
Dylan, a 21-year-old construction worker in rural New Mexico, supports his alcoholic mother and younger brother while saving for an RV. Hired for temporary work at the House of Splendor ranch, he encounters a vibrant community of queer rodeo performers living freely. Drawn to Sky, a trans barrel racer in an open relationship, Dylan explores his sexuality and identity amid drag shows, rodeo events, and chosen family dynamics. The film depicts his gradual immersion in this inclusive world against stunning Southwestern landscapes, culminating in personal growth and subtle family tensions.
Analyzed by AI on September 5, 2026