Once Upon a Time in Iran (2021) | How Woke Is It?

Our VerdictNot Woke

15%

Once Upon a Time in Iran2021

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

This is about as far from 'woke' as you’ll find in modern streaming: a straightforward, culturally-rooted period drama that avoids the usual modern ideological trappings. Old-fashioned storytelling wins the day.

Score Breakdown

Compromised:Narrative Integrity

Mildly Woke

What is this?

The show focuses primarily on personal and family survival during the Iran-Iraq war, keeping character depth and story at the forefront. There’s little evidence of shoehorned diversity or identity-first casting; the storytelling serves the setting and characters, not modern ideology.

Compromised:Cultural Foundations

Not Woke

What is this?

Traditional Iranian values, family dynamics, and local customs are presented seriously. There's no obvious undermining of religion, masculinity, or tradition, instead, the show draws depth from these elements, respecting the period’s reality without overt modern reinterpretation.

Compromised:Ideological Monoculture

Not Woke

What is this?

Rather than pushing a single worldview, 'Once Upon a Time in Iran' explores moral conflicts and complexities shaped by war and circumstance. It doesn’t mock or villainize tradition, if anything, it respects multiple viewpoints within a historical framework.

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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.