Is Anna woke?
Anna (2019)
Movie
Released: January 1, 2019
Wokeness Score
4/10
Light Social Awareness
Some light diversity or inclusion elements that feel natural and organic. Woke themes are subtle, non-intrusive, and fully integrated into the story without drawing attention to themselves.
Key Summary Points
- Empowerment through personal agency and escape from abuse serves the spy thriller plot without ideological dominance.
- Brief female mentorship and lesbian elements integrated naturally into character development and missions.
- Strong female lead and supporting roles present but secondary to action, twists, and espionage entertainment.
Wokeness Analysis
Anna (2019) is a straightforward action thriller centered on a female protagonist escaping abuse and seeking personal freedom through espionage and combat skills. The story follows the familiar Luc Besson template of a beautiful, lethal woman navigating dangerous missions, with roots in his earlier film La Femme Nikita. While Anna is portrayed as resilient and competent, overcoming domestic violence and male-dominated structures in the KGB, these elements serve the plot of individual survival and double-agent intrigue rather than advancing any broader ideological agenda. A brief lesbian subplot with another model exists but remains secondary and does not dominate the narrative. The film includes diverse international settings and a strong supporting female role (Helen Mirren as handler Olga), yet these feel organic to the spy genre without forced messaging on representation or systemic issues. Released amid director Luc Besson's personal controversies, the movie itself prioritizes stylish action, twists, and escapism over social commentary. Critics note objectification of the lead, but the core focus remains on story, characters, and entertainment value typical of pre-woke genre films. No heavy-handed lectures on feminism, diversity quotas, or political indoctrination appear; any empowerment themes are subtle and plot-driven, aligning with mild modern sensibilities in casting and character agency.
Plot
In late 1980s Moscow, young Anna Poliatova endures an abusive relationship and poverty until recruited by KGB agent Alex Tchenkov, who offers her a five-year deal as an operative in exchange for freedom. After intense training under handler Olga, she assumes a glamorous cover as a fashion model in Paris while carrying out assassinations and intelligence work. Anna becomes entangled in double and triple crosses involving the CIA and internal KGB power struggles, ultimately fighting for her independence amid betrayals. The film blends high-fashion espionage with brutal action sequences across Russia, France, and beyond.