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In Bruges
Movie

In Bruges

2008 • Comedy, Crime, Drama

Woke Score
1.4
out of 10

Plot

London based hit men Ray and Ken are told by their boss Harry Waters to lie low in Bruges, Belgium for up to two weeks following their latest hit, which resulted in the death of an innocent bystander. Harry will be in touch with further instructions. While they wait for Harry's call, Ken, following Harry's advice, takes in the sights of the medieval city with great appreciation. But the charms of Bruges are lost on the simpler Ray, who is already despondent over the innocent death, especially as it was his first job. Things change for Ray when he meets Chloe, part of a film crew shooting a movie starring an American dwarf named Jimmy. When Harry's instructions arrive, Ken, for whom the job is directed, isn't sure if he can carry out the new job, especially as he has gained a new appreciation of life from his stay in the fairytale Bruges. While Ken waits for the inevitable arrival into Bruges of an angry Harry, who feels he must clean up matters on his own, Ray is dealing with his own problems, not only with Harry, but with a Canadian couple and a half-blind thief named Eirik. Ray hopes he can count on both Chloe and Ken to help him carve out a new life for himself. In the end, Harry, involved in an incident with Jimmy, may have to keep to his own principles.

Overall Series Review

In Bruges is a refreshingly unapologetic film that stands in stark contrast to modern cinematic trends. It follows two hitmen grappling with the moral consequences of their actions in a setting that celebrates Western architectural and historical beauty. The dialogue is sharp, crude, and entirely unconcerned with offending modern sensibilities. It explores deep philosophical themes like redemption, honor, and the nature of sin through a lens that feels timeless rather than trendy. The characters are judged by their loyalty and their adherence to a personal code, making it a character-driven drama that ignores the checklists of identity politics.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics1/10

Characters are defined by their actions and codes of honor. The dialogue is aggressively politically incorrect, featuring frequent use of slurs. There is no attempt at forced diversity or lecturing on privilege.

Oikophobia1/10

The film serves as a love letter to Western history and architecture. It portrays the medieval city of Bruges as a place of wonder and heritage. The narrative treats the preservation of Western culture as inherently valuable.

Feminism2/10

Men are the primary drivers of the plot, operating under traditional codes of masculine honor. Female characters are grounded and do not overshadow the male leads with unrealistic skills. There is no attempt to emasculate the protagonists.

LGBTQ+1/10

The film adheres to normative standards and makes no effort to introduce sexual ideology. It uses language and humor that would be considered offensive by modern activists, maintaining a focus on the plot rather than identity.

Anti-Theism2/10

The story is a meditation on sin, guilt, and redemption. It utilizes Christian iconography to explore the weight of a character's soul. Religion is treated as a serious framework for morality rather than a target for mockery.