Is Hernán woke?
Hernán (2019)
TV Show
Released: January 1, 2019
Wokeness Score
7/10
Strongly Ideological
Woke messaging is very prominent and often feels forced or shoehorned in. Characters and plot are primarily shaped to serve the ideology. Many viewers feel the agenda overshadows the entertainment.
Key Summary Points
- Multi-perspective storytelling elevates indigenous viewpoints of La Malinche and Moctezuma as central and sympathetic.
- Spaniards portrayed as flawed villains with racism and instability emphasized over historical accounts.
- Mexica Empire upgraded as dignified defenders while downplaying human sacrifice and imperialism.
Wokeness Analysis
The 2019 historical drama Hernán, which chronicles the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire through multiple character perspectives including indigenous figures like La Malinche and Moctezuma, incorporates noticeable ideological framing. While presented as a neutral, mestizo viewpoint with authentic languages (Spanish, Nahuatl, Maya) and detailed production, the narrative structure elevates indigenous perspectives and portrays the Mexica as the more sympathetic defenders with higher moral ground, minimizing their practices like widespread human sacrifice. Spaniards, particularly Cortés and his men, receive a historical villain upgrade as petty, racist, incompetent, and unstable, with events recontextualized to undermine any positive traits. Tlaxcaltec allies are depicted as bloodthirsty and less civilized. This multi-viewpoint approach, timed for the 500th anniversary, emphasizes themes of conquest's brutality from the 'other' side, aligning with modern sensibilities that critique Western expansionism and promote marginalized voices. Though entertaining with strong visuals and performances, the messaging often feels intentional and shapes character arcs to serve a balanced-yet-critical commentary on colonialism rather than pure escapism or neutral history.
Plot
Hernán is a Spanish-Mexican historical drama series that follows conquistador Hernán Cortés from his arrival on the Mexican coast to the defeat of the Mexica Empire. Told through eight episodes each focused on a different character's perspective, including Cortés, La Malinche (Marina), Moctezuma, and Spanish companions like Bernal Díaz del Castillo, it explores the conquest's complexities, alliances, betrayals, and battles. The series features authentic languages, detailed recreations of Tenochtitlan, and examines personal relationships amid the clash of civilizations. Released on Amazon Prime Video in 2019 to mark the 500th anniversary of the events, it blends drama, strategy, and human elements in a multilingual production.