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The Incredibles
Movie

The Incredibles

2004 • Animation, Action, Adventure

Woke Score
2
out of 10

Plot

Bob Parr (A.K.A. Mr. Incredible), and his wife Helen (A.K.A. Elastigirl), are the world's greatest famous crime-fighting superheroes in Metroville. Always saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. But fifteen years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs where they have no choice but to retire as superheroes to live a "normal life" with their three children Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack (who were secretly born with superpowers). Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment. He soon discovers that it will take a super family effort to rescue the world from total destruction.

Overall Series Review

The Incredibles is a traditional superhero story centered on a white, nuclear family unit forced into civilian life by an overreaching government. The central conflict is a defense of exceptionalism and meritocracy against a societal push for forced equality, embodied by the villain’s belief that 'when everyone's Super, no one will be.' The film’s focus is on the power of the family structure working together, with Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl learning to combine their individual strengths for a shared purpose. The narrative is overwhelmingly pro-family, pro-talent, and adheres to a clear, objective moral law where self-sacrifice and heroism are virtuous.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics2/10

The narrative is a strong endorsement of universal meritocracy, where character is judged purely on inherent talent and ability (superpowers) rather than on race or immutable characteristics. The antagonist's primary motivation is a resentment of exceptionalism and an attempt to equalize the playing field, which the plot clearly frames as evil.

Oikophobia1/10

The film does not express hostility toward Western civilization. It is set in an idealized, retro-futuristic American suburb, and the primary goal of the heroes is to protect their city and their home. The family unit is presented as the foundational 'moral anchor' of the story, with the external threat being an over-litigious and bureaucratic government that is stifling their natural gifts.

Feminism3/10

The core of the movie affirms the complementary roles of the man and woman within the nuclear family. While Elastigirl is highly competent and must save the day, her character arc is not an anti-natalist 'Girl Boss' narrative; she is deeply committed to her children and her family unit, ultimately saving her husband and working alongside him. The film concludes by celebrating the family's combined efforts.

LGBTQ+1/10

The story centers on a traditional, cisgender, heterosexual marriage and their biological children. The film focuses entirely on this normative family structure, with no inclusion of alternative sexualities, deconstruction of the nuclear family, or lecturing on gender theory.

Anti-Theism1/10

The movie operates on a clear, objective moral framework where selfless heroism is the ultimate good and is celebrated. The villain's motivation, rooted in envy and a rejection of natural talent, directly opposes this concept of a higher moral law and is unambiguously portrayed as evil.