While the film swaps out the male killer for a female protagonist, it mostly sticks to slasher formula instead of deeply exploring identity. The casting feels like an attempt to update the franchise, but it doesn’t overtly lecture viewers about ideology or focus overly on identity factors. The narrative is more muddled than ‘woke,’ but some viewers could see the gender flip as a nod towards early 2000s trends.

Traditional gender roles are subverted, as the ruthless, ambitious female lead echoes the traits from the original male antihero. While there’s no overt villainization of family, religion, or tradition, the film’s gleeful embrace of moral ambiguity might rub some non-woke viewers the wrong way. Still, the film doesn’t come across as a progressive manifesto.

Alternative worldviews aren’t addressed much, it’s a typical slasher set at a college. While the heroine’s ruthlessness isn’t questioned, and there’s little ideological debate, the film doesn’t feel like it’s out to demolish traditional perspectives. It’s more cheap thrills than woke screed.