Is Behind Her Eyes woke?
TV Show · Released February 17, 2021
Behind Her Eyes has a wokeness score of 3/10, which we rate as 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 points
- Black lead casting adds subtle diversity without race-based plotlines or commentary.
- Gay antagonist Rob drives the twist through deception, avoiding positive identity messaging.
- Story emphasizes thriller twists and escapism over any social or ideological themes.
Wokeness analysis
Behind Her Eyes is a psychological thriller centered on a love triangle, infidelity, trauma, and a supernatural astral projection twist that dominates the narrative. Diversity appears through color-blind casting of Black actress Simona Brown as single mother Louise, a change from the book's unspecified or assumed white protagonist, and the inclusion of a gay character, Rob. These elements integrate organically into the story without racial or identity-focused dialogue or commentary. The plot prioritizes suspense, twists, and escapism over any progressive messaging. Rob's portrayal as a predatory gay man using body swaps for selfish gain drew backlash from progressive critics for invoking 'depraved homosexual' tropes and problematic gender/race implications in the finale, but the show itself offers no indoctrination, social lectures, or celebration of marginalized identities. It avoids heavy-handed themes, keeping focus on character secrets and entertainment value rather than political agendas.
Plot
Louise, a single Black mother working as a secretary, begins an affair with her new boss David while befriending his enigmatic wife Adele. Their unconventional triangle unravels into suspense involving hidden pasts, addiction, and astral projection abilities. Flashbacks reveal Adele's friendship with Rob, a gay working-class man from rehab. The six-episode series builds to a major body-swapping twist that recontextualizes relationships and identities. Premiering on Netflix in February 2021, it adapts Sarah Pinborough's 2017 novel with minor changes like earlier reveals on Rob's sexuality.
Analyzed by AI on October 24, 2026