City of Lies (2018) | How Woke Is It?

Our VerdictNot Woke

20%

City of Lies2018

In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected speech. These reviews reflect personal opinions and not statements of fact.

What We Think

City of Lies largely avoids the Hollywood "woke" checklist. It's interested in crime, truth, and corruption, not ideological signaling. Traditional values and character development are mostly intact. Non-woke viewers can relax with this one.

Score Breakdown

Compromised:Narrative Integrity

Mildly Woke

What is this?

City of Lies sticks pretty firmly to its neo-noir, procedural roots without unnecessary identity politics taking over. Race plays a natural role given the subject, but identity factors don't overpower the story or character arcs.

Compromised:Cultural Foundations

Not Woke

What is this?

Traditional values like police work, integrity, and persistence are explored thoughtfully without mocking religion, family, or masculinity. The film seems far more interested in exposing institutional corruption than rewriting any foundational values.

Compromised:Ideological Monoculture

Mildly Woke

What is this?

Alternative viewpoints, especially skepticism towards institutions, are given legitimate weight. Corruption and flaws aren't chalked up to vague ideological causes, and the story avoids straw-manning traditional perspectives. There's a reasonable balance here, if a little Hollywood "cynicism."

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Disclaimer: In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected as a form of free speech and freedom of expression. The reviews and commentary on this site represent personal opinions and interpretations. They are not statements of fact and should not be taken as factual claims about any individual, company, or creative work.