Is The Craft woke?
The Craft (1996)
Movie
Released: January 1, 1996
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
- Diverse cast features Black character Rochelle confronting racial bullying in a direct, non-didactic manner.
- Female empowerment and sisterhood arise naturally from outcast girls using witchcraft for personal agency.
- Story emphasizes consequences of power abuse over ideological lectures on gender or identity.
Wokeness Analysis
The Craft (1996) centers on four teenage girls forming a coven to gain power through witchcraft, addressing personal struggles like bullying, physical appearance insecurities, racism, and abusive relationships. The cast includes diverse leads with Rachel True as Rochelle facing explicit racial bullying, which is depicted straightforwardly without modern ideological framing. Themes of female empowerment and sisterhood emerge organically from the story of outcasts seeking agency, reflecting 1990s teen horror tropes rather than deliberate progressive messaging. The narrative warns against the misuse of power, leading to consequences and internal conflict, maintaining focus on character-driven horror and revenge fantasy. While some elements like confronting sexism and racism align with inclusion, they feel natural to the plot of marginalized teens rather than intrusive or preachy. Conservative critiques note the film's handling of these issues as period-appropriate without the overt agenda seen in later works. Overall, it prioritizes entertainment, supernatural elements, and cautionary tale aspects over social commentary, making any modern sensibilities mild and integrated.
Plot
Sarah Bailey, a troubled teen with latent powers, moves to Los Angeles and enrolls in a Catholic high school. She befriends three other outcast girls—Bonnie, Rochelle, and Nancy—who practice witchcraft. Together they form a coven, using spells to address their problems: Bonnie seeks to heal scars, Rochelle counters racist bullying, Nancy escapes an abusive home, and Sarah deals with personal trauma. Their powers grow but lead to misuse, revenge against tormentors, and a dangerous power struggle within the group. The film explores the dark side of their abilities and the importance of balance.