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The Incredible Hulk
Movie

The Incredible Hulk

2008 • Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Woke Score
2
out of 10

Plot

Depicting the events after the Gamma Bomb. 'The Incredible Hulk' tells the story of Dr Bruce Banner, who seeks a cure to his unique condition, which causes him to turn into a giant green monster under emotional stress. Whilst on the run from military which seeks his capture, Banner comes close to a cure. But all is lost when a new creature emerges: The Abomination.

Overall Series Review

The Incredible Hulk (2008) is a focused action-drama that pre-dates the modern injection of political ideology into superhero films. The plot centers on Bruce Banner’s struggle for control over his monstrous inner self and his desperate attempt to find a cure while being hunted by an obsessive military general. The conflict stems from unchecked scientific and military ambition, not from identity or political issues. The characters, including the female lead, function within a classic narrative framework where competence and personal relationships drive the story. It operates on universal themes of rage, responsibility, and the danger of power, resulting in a narrative that is remarkably free of the 'woke mind virus' themes prevalent in later media.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics2/10

The core conflict is Bruce Banner versus the Hulk and the military-industrial complex, which operates on merit and personal ambition, not identity. Casting is consistent with the source material, and the narrative does not rely on intersectional hierarchy or vilification based on immutable characteristics.

Oikophobia3/10

The central villain, General Ross, is a high-ranking US military official whose actions are unethical and driven by a desire to weaponize power, providing a limited critique of military overreach. This is a critique of a specific facet of the state, not a deconstruction or demonization of Western civilization, home, or ancestors in its totality.

Feminism1/10

Betty Ross is depicted as a competent scientist who uses her professional expertise and emotional intelligence to help the protagonist. Her role is supportive and complementary to Bruce Banner’s struggle. The film celebrates their committed, vital relationship and avoids 'Girl Boss' tropes or anti-natalist messaging.

LGBTQ+1/10

The narrative focuses on a traditional male-female romantic relationship as the emotional anchor for the protagonist. No presence of sexual ideology, centering of alternative sexualities, or discussion of gender theory appears in the film’s plot or themes.

Anti-Theism1/10

The story's moral foundation is rooted in scientific ethics and the responsibility of controlling immense power. The film contains no overt commentary or hostility toward traditional religion, specifically Christianity, and operates on an objective good-versus-evil framework regarding the ethical use of force.