Is Wonder Woman woke?
Movie · 2017
Wonder Woman has a wokeness score of 5/10, which we rate as Socially Conscious. Clear woke themes are present and intentional, but feel balanced and organic to the story. The message supports the plot and characters rather than dominating them.
Key points
- Features an all-female Amazon society rejecting male influence and showcasing empowered warrior women.
- Highlights female protagonist surpassing male characters in strength, morality, and leadership.
- Includes scenes critiquing early 20th-century gender norms through Diana's outsider perspective.
Wokeness analysis
Wonder Woman (2017) centers on Diana, an Amazon princess who leaves her all-female island paradise of Themyscira to intervene in World War I, believing the god Ares is responsible for human conflict. The story emphasizes themes of female strength, heroism, and challenging traditional gender expectations through Diana's journey, including scenes in London where she encounters and dismisses restrictive clothing and societal norms for women. The Amazons represent a society of empowered warriors who reject male influence, and the narrative highlights Diana's superior physical abilities and moral clarity compared to the men around her. While these elements introduce progressive ideas about gender roles and female capability, they integrate into the adventure plot as character traits rather than dominating lectures. Conservative perspectives note the film's female-led structure and marketing as feminist milestones, yet praise its focus on heroism, sacrifice, and classical values like fighting evil without heavy systemic critiques of patriarchy or identity politics. The messaging feels organic to the superhero origin story, balancing empowerment with entertainment, though the all-female society and emphasis on women as moral superiors introduce noticeable commentary on gender dynamics. No extreme didacticism or activist agenda overshadows the action and character arcs.
Plot
In 1918, American pilot Steve Trevor crashes near the hidden island of Themyscira, home to the Amazons. Princess Diana rescues him and learns of the ongoing World War I, which she attributes to the god Ares. Defying her mother Queen Hippolyta, Diana leaves with Steve for London to confront the supposed source of evil and end the war. Accompanied by Steve and a team of allies, she discovers her true powers as the daughter of Zeus, battles German forces and the villainous Dr. Poison, and ultimately defeats Ares while grappling with humanity's capacity for both good and evil. The film blends action, adventure, and fantasy in a World War I setting.
Analyzed by AI on September 8, 2026