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Solo: A Star Wars Story
Movie

Solo: A Star Wars Story

2018 • Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Woke Score
4
out of 10

Plot

With the emerging demand of hyperfuel and other resources, Han Solo finds himself in the middle of a heist alongside other criminals, where they meet the likes of Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian in an adventurous situation exposing the criminal underworld.

Overall Series Review

The film functions primarily as a classic space Western and heist adventure centered on the moral journey of a young Han Solo. The narrative is driven by individual choice and anti-authoritarian themes rather than a focus on systemic oppression. While the core story avoids overt ideological lecturing, explicit progressive themes are clearly present in certain supporting characters. The most notable example is the droid L3-37, a self-proclaimed advocate for droid rights and emancipation, whose militant feminism is often played for comic relief but whose fate becomes a plot point for the main characters. The diverse main cast features competent female and minority characters, but the protagonist's arc is preserved. Publicity comments about a returning character's sexuality inject an ideological element that is not substantially developed within the film itself. The movie ultimately remains a conventional genre piece with a moderate incorporation of identity and social justice elements.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics4/10

The film features a diverse supporting cast of competent women and minorities surrounding the white male lead. The protagonist, Han Solo, is the moral anchor and eventual hero of the story. The narrative avoids relying on intersectional hierarchy, choosing instead to focus on individualist themes and anti-authoritarianism, but the concentration of diverse, hyper-competent allies around the main hero elevates the score slightly.

Oikophobia2/10

The system being criticized is the overtly totalitarian Galactic Empire, which is canonically antithetical to concepts of liberty and family. The film focuses on criminal syndicates, not a metaphor for Western civilization or its ancestors. The core lesson centers on loyalty and individual freedom against tyranny and corruption, aligning with traditional Western values of liberty.

Feminism7/10

The female leads, Qi'ra and Val, are highly competent and capable in their criminal roles. The score is significantly impacted by the presence of the droid L3-37, who is overtly a 'woke droid committed to social justice' and a militant activist for droid emancipation, a theme explicitly played for both social commentary and humor. Her character acts as a direct, explicit vessel for progressive gender/identity politics.

LGBTQ+5/10

The film contains no explicit on-screen LGBT relationship or gender deconstruction within the human characters. However, a screenwriter confirmed in promotion that the character Lando Calrissian is pansexual, partially in reference to his relationship with the droid L3-37. This external centering of sexual ideology about an iconic character, coupled with the intimate man-droid relationship being the closest approximation of the theme, warrants a mid-range score for ideological intent, even with low on-screen centering.

Anti-Theism1/10

The spiritual dimension of the film is largely absent, focusing instead on a secular criminal underworld. The primary moral conflict is a matter of personal choice and loyalty (Han's innate 'good guy' nature) against cynicism and greed. There is no depiction or critique of traditional religion or objective morality being framed as evil or oppressive.