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The Outlaws
Movie

The Outlaws

2017 • Action, Crime, Thriller

Woke Score
1
out of 10

Plot

Based on real events, this crime action film depicts a Seoul detective's attempts to keep peace while two Chinese-Korean gangs battle over turf in the neighborhood.

Overall Series Review

The Outlaws (2017) is a South Korean crime action film centered on a police unit's struggle to maintain order against escalating gang warfare in a Seoul district. The narrative is a straightforward, action-heavy crime procedural that is focused almost entirely on the conflict between the no-nonsense Detective Ma Seok-do and the extremely violent Chinese-Korean gangster Jang Chen. The story is based on real events, which anchors the casting and setting in a specific, authentic context. The movie operates within the traditional frameworks of the police procedural and gangster genre, celebrating the relentless pursuit of justice and the effectiveness of traditional, tough-guy masculinity in combating evil. There is no discernible political or social commentary that aligns with the 'woke mind virus' ideology. Characters are judged on their moral and criminal actions, such as the protagonist's dedication to justice and the antagonist's excessive cruelty. The film's themes are primarily about power, corruption, and the relentless application of law enforcement to restore societal peace.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics1/10

The core conflict between the Korean police and the mainland Chinese-Korean gangsters is presented as a fight against organized crime and brutality, not as a lecture on systemic privilege or an intersectional power imbalance. Criminals are defined by their ruthlessness and violence, while the police are defined by their mission to uphold the law. Character merit, in the form of action and moral alignment, entirely dictates the narrative's focus, and there is no vilification of the majority group or forced, ideological diversity.

Oikophobia1/10

The narrative's central motivation is the preservation of order and peace within the South Korean setting. Detective Ma Seok-do and his team are portrayed as the shields protecting their community from violent invaders and internal chaos. The film explicitly validates the effort to defend the home territory and restore stability, demonstrating gratitude for the institutions of law enforcement.

Feminism1/10

The cast and action are overwhelmingly male-dominated, characteristic of the genre. The police unit and all major antagonists are men. The main detective is a protective, masculine figure who solves problems through physical strength and wit, validating traditional, protective masculinity. The film contains no 'Girl Boss' tropes, no messaging about emasculation, and no commentary on motherhood or career fulfillment.

LGBTQ+1/10

The narrative is completely devoid of any focus on alternative sexualities or gender ideology. The story maintains a normative structure, focusing exclusively on the secular themes of crime, violence, and law enforcement. Sexuality is not a plot point, and there is no attempt to deconstruct the nuclear family.

Anti-Theism2/10

The film is a secular crime drama, meaning it does not actively promote or attack religious faith. However, the unequivocal distinction between the protagonists' pursuit of justice and the antagonists' brutal, immoral actions establishes a clear framework of objective right and wrong, aligning with the spirit of transcendent morality rather than moral relativism.