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Expend4bles
Movie

Expend4bles

2023 • Unknown

Woke Score
2
out of 10

Plot

Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on and the skills to use them, The Expendables are the world’s last line of defense and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table. But new team members with new styles and tactics are going to give “new blood” a whole new meaning.

Overall Series Review

Expend4bles is a conventional, low-effort action sequel focused on a mercenary team trying to prevent a global catastrophe involving nuclear weapons. The film features a 'new generation' of recruits, including a more diverse cast, but the story heavily centers on the existing dynamic between original team leaders Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) and Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone). Critics noted a shift in casting for new team members. However, the plot remains a simple good-versus-evil action template with minimal character development or thematic depth. The new female lead is largely seen as objectified and fails to embody the 'Girl Boss' archetype. The narrative is devoid of any explicit political, social, or religious commentary, focusing instead on high-stakes mercenary violence.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics3/10

A new generation of recruits significantly increases the racial and gender diversity of the team, reflecting a broader cultural trend in casting. However, the plot does not lecture on privilege or systemic oppression, and the main thrust of the narrative involves two white male characters. Casting is a conscious effort at diversity but does not override the meritocracy of the action genre or vilify whiteness.

Oikophobia1/10

The central mission is to prevent a massive terror attack, placing the mercenary team in the role of global saviors, which defends against chaos. There is no element of civilizational self-hatred, demonization of Western heritage, or framing home culture as fundamentally corrupt. The film maintains a basic good-guys-save-the-world structure.

Feminism2/10

New female characters are introduced, but the film retains an established atmosphere of traditional 'machismo.' One of the main female leads is primarily presented as an action fighter who is also visually objectified, operating more as 'arm candy' than a flawless 'Mary Sue' or 'Girl Boss.' The film's priorities are firmly rooted in the old-school action aesthetic.

LGBTQ+1/10

The narrative is completely centered on high-octane mercenary action and geopolitical peril. There is no presence of alternative sexual ideologies, centering of sexual identity, or deconstruction of the nuclear family unit. The film maintains a completely normative structure with regards to sexuality and gender expression.

Anti-Theism1/10

The plot's conflict is entirely material, involving arms dealers and nuclear detonators. There is no commentary, either positive or negative, regarding organized religion, spirituality, or objective moral truth. The focus is exclusively on the physical mission.