“True Lies” (2023) seems to hit most of Hollywood’s favorite checkboxes, identity-focused casting and the wife as action heroine suddenly outshining her superspy husband. This emphasis on modern representation and female empowerment often feels wedged in, coming at the expense of the fun, over-the-top spy action and character believability.

Traditional marriage dynamics and masculinity are regularly subverted, with the once-dynamic Arnold-style male lead reduced to a more passive, bumbling role. The show positions the wife’s empowerment as more relevant and important, sometimes to a comically unlikely degree. Family and traditional values take a back seat, and the result feels more like a lecture than a romp.

Nearly every character shares the same set of modern progressive values; dissent or traditional perspectives are rarely seen except as punchlines or villains. There's a notable lack of pluralism or good-faith exploration of alternative viewpoints, reinforcing a heavy sense of ideological monoculture throughout.