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Contact
Movie

Contact

1997 • Unknown

Woke Score
6
out of 10

Plot

A radio astronomer receives the first extraterrestrial radio signal ever picked up on Earth. As the world powers scramble to decipher the message and decide upon a course of action, she must make some difficult decisions between her beliefs, the truth, and reality.

Overall Series Review

The film centers on a brilliant female scientist battling the male establishment in the name of pure science, which is a key element of the narrative. This protagonist is an atheist, and the story creates its central tension by pitting her rationalism against the faith-based belief of her love interest and the wider global population. Political and religious institutions of the West, particularly the US government and traditional Christian figures, are consistently portrayed as cynical, obstructive, incompetent, or dangerously fundamentalist. The film elevates the rational, career-focused woman who is unconcerned with traditional family life over nearly all male and religious figures in positions of authority, ultimately validating her personal, subjective 'leap of faith' over the rigorous scientific method she had championed for her entire career.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics4/10

The narrative's primary conflict centers on a capable female scientist fighting for funding and legitimacy within a political and scientific establishment dominated by white men. Race is not a significant factor in the story's conflict or character dynamics, and characters are judged mostly by competence, not immutable characteristics. The female protagonist's struggle against the system is framed mainly as one of gender and intellectual merit against institutional cynicism.

Oikophobia6/10

American political figures are repeatedly shown as cynical, self-interested, and obstructive, more concerned with national defense and power plays than the universal benefit of scientific discovery. The primary physical act of destruction in the plot is carried out by a domestic religious zealot who destroys the first machine. Western political and religious institutions are frequently positioned as the main obstacles to human progress and unity, framing the home culture as fundamentally flawed and an impediment to enlightenment.

Feminism8/10

The main character, Dr. Ellie Arroway, is portrayed as a highly competent, lone-wolf genius who is a radio astronomer. She constantly overcomes the skepticism and efforts of her male political and scientific rivals, including the man who crushes her chance at the first trip. Her life and ultimate fulfillment are tied entirely to her career and her personal quest for alien contact. She has no interest in marriage or children, reinforcing the anti-natalist and 'Girl Boss' trope where career is the sole path to fulfillment and men are either philosophical adversaries or bumbling obstacles.

LGBTQ+1/10

The story does not include any discernible LGBTQ+ characters or themes. The primary relationship is heterosexual, and the film focuses on universal scientific and philosophical debates without inserting modern sexual ideology or gender theory.

Anti-Theism9/10

The core of the movie is the conflict between verifiable science and faith, which is manifested through a relationship between an atheist scientist and a man of faith. Nearly all traditional Christian characters and organizations are vilified: the primary antagonist is a religious zealot, the selection committee uses a religious test to disqualify the most qualified candidate, and organized religion is repeatedly shown as a source of irrationality and violence. The scientist's journey culminates in a subjective, unprovable 'faith-like' experience, forcing her to acknowledge an 'Objective Truth' that operates outside the scientific method, but the film's consistent, negative portrayal of traditional religious institutions aligns with a high score.