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Independence Day: Resurgence
Movie

Independence Day: Resurgence

2016 • Unknown

Woke Score
3
out of 10

Plot

We always knew they were coming back. Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens’ advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction.

Overall Series Review

Independence Day: Resurgence is a large-scale action spectacle that frames the conflict as humanity's global unity against an external alien threat. The film features an intentionally diverse cast in major roles across a globalized military structure, the Earth Space Defense. Plot elements include a female President and highly competent female fighter pilots. A gay couple is present in a minor, chaste role. The narrative focuses almost exclusively on secular, scientific, and military solutions, sidelining any discussion of faith. The primary heroic archetype is a global, technological meritocracy. The movie avoids deep thematic discussion, keeping its focus on action, which prevents most political ideologies from dominating the narrative, though it clearly signals a commitment to visual and positional diversity. The death of the original film's Black hero to make way for a new generation of leads, including a white pilot who is initially flawed, slightly tilts the identity politics balance, but the plot remains dedicated to its explosive sci-fi mission.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics4/10

The movie showcases a visibly diverse cast, including a Black male lead, a Chinese female pilot, and a Congolese warlord, to reflect a globally united force. The film kills off the major Black hero from the original film (Steven Hiller) off-screen, but replaces him with his son as a central, competent pilot. This composition suggests a deliberate, forced attempt at visual and positional diversity, but the world's focus remains on meritocracy for survival against the alien enemy, not on internal power dynamics or systemic oppression.

Oikophobia2/10

The central premise is the entire planet, unified under the Earth Space Defense, coming together to defend itself from an alien invasion. This narrative emphasizes human and global resilience and strength, actively celebrating a powerful world institution and the defense of civilization. It does not frame the home culture or Western ancestors as corrupt or racist, opposing the civilizational self-hatred trope.

Feminism5/10

High-ranking female characters occupy positions of traditional male authority, including a powerful female US President and a lead female character who is both a Secret Service agent and a fighter pilot. A major young male lead is established as having an ego and being demoted for recklessness, suggesting a minor emasculation element. However, the female fighter pilot lead is also recast with an actress noted for conventional attractiveness, slightly undercutting the 'merit-only Girl Boss' trope.

LGBTQ+3/10

A gay male couple is included with the re-introduction of Dr. Okun and his long-term partner, who wakes from a coma. The relationship is notably chaste and occupies a minimal amount of screen time, serving as a minor inclusion rather than a plot-centering or deconstructive element. Sexuality is not a significant narrative theme, and the core hero pairings are male-female.

Anti-Theism2/10

The movie is entirely secular, basing humanity's defense on science, military technology (reverse-engineered alien tech), and political global unity. Faith or religion is absent as a source of strength or as a target for hostility, making the setting a spiritual vacuum of transcendent morality without actively attacking it.