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The Golden Monk
Movie

The Golden Monk

2017 • Unknown

Woke Score
1
out of 10

Plot

The film tells the story of a monk who realizes he is the reincarnation of Golden Child / Taming Dragon Lohan who was cast down from heaven to experience life and death one hundred times as he broke a sacred rule by falling in love with another fairy, Jade. While Golden Child’s memories were erased, Jade refused to forget their love and accumulated goodwill over one hundred reincarnations…

Overall Series Review

The Golden Monk is a Chinese fantasy-action-comedy film that recounts the mythical romance between a Buddhist monk, Butong, who is the reincarnation of the Golden Child, and the powerful demon-hunter, Jade. Their celestial love was punished by the gods, causing them to be separated over one hundred lifetimes. The narrative follows Jade’s persistent quest to find and reunite with her lover while battling a host of demons, including the Nine-sea Dragon and his monstrous daughters, who seek to usurp the emperor's throne. The story is a straightforward supernatural adventure rooted in Chinese folklore and is heavily focused on the theme of transcendent romantic love and the battle between good and evil spiritual forces. The plot is not concerned with modern Western political or social commentary, centering instead on mythological action, screwball comedy, and a pre-determined romantic destiny.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics1/10

The movie is a Chinese production set in the historical Southern Song dynasty, featuring an entirely Chinese/Asian cast playing culturally specific roles. The plot conflict revolves around supernatural and mythological forces, not immutable characteristics, race, or intersectional hierarchy. There is no presence or vilification of 'whiteness,' and merit is judged by spiritual power and character dedication to saving the world or achieving love.

Oikophobia1/10

The central conflict involves the protagonists—a monk and a demon-hunter—defending the capital city and the emperor from an invasion of evil spirits and a dragon demon with malicious political ambitions. The narrative supports and defends the existing civilization and its structures. The film is not about Western civilization and displays no civilizational self-hatred.

Feminism2/10

The female lead, Jade, is a highly capable and proactive demon-hunter who has accumulated great spiritual power and is the primary driving force of the story’s romantic quest. She is strong and competent, but her primary and all-consuming motivation is not a career but the centuries-long goal of reuniting with her male celestial partner. The narrative champions the ultimate male-female pairing as the transcendent and eternal goal, counterbalancing the 'Girl Boss' trope.

LGBTQ+1/10

The core plot is a heterosexual celestial romance between the Golden Child (male) and Jade (female). Their separation and subsequent reunion are the engine of the story. The movie offers no centering of alternative sexualities, deconstruction of the nuclear family, or commentary on gender ideology. The love story is presented as a normative male-female pairing.

Anti-Theism1/10

The movie is a fantasy built upon the explicit reality of a celestial hierarchy, gods, a sacred rule, and the Buddhist concept of reincarnation and karma. The monk protagonist and his master represent spiritual sources of power and guidance. The conflict is moral and spiritual (good monks/spirits vs. evil demons), which validates the existence of a higher moral law and transcendent forces.