Is The Undoing woke?
The Undoing (2020)
TV Show
Released: January 1, 2020
Wokeness Score
5/10
Socially Conscious
Clear woke themes are present and intentional, but feel balanced and organic to the story. The message supports the plot and characters rather than dominating them.
Key Summary Points
- Class and racial outsider introduced via scholarship mother contrasting elite white social circle.
- Scenes depict discomfort with breastfeeding and social exclusion tied to background differences.
- Black female defense attorney portrayed as highly competent authority figure in legal proceedings.
Wokeness Analysis
The Undoing is a psychological thriller centered on a wealthy Manhattan couple whose lives unravel after a murder. The series includes deliberate nods to class and racial dynamics through the introduction of Elena, a scholarship parent from a different background portrayed as an outsider among the elite school mothers. Scenes highlight discomfort with her breastfeeding at a meeting and contrast her with the affluent, mostly white group, touching on privilege and social exclusion. The defense attorney is a competent Black woman in a position of authority. These elements serve the murder mystery plot involving infidelity and deception but are presented in a way that underscores contemporary themes of inequality and perception versus reality. However, the focus remains on character-driven suspense, star performances, and twists rather than overt lectures or heavy ideological messaging. Critics noted attempts at social commentary on privilege that ultimately feel underdeveloped or stereotypical, keeping the wokeness noticeable yet integrated and non-dominant. The story prioritizes entertainment through its whodunit structure over sustained progressive advocacy.
Plot
Grace Fraser, a successful Manhattan therapist played by Nicole Kidman, enjoys an idyllic life with her husband Jonathan, a pediatric oncologist portrayed by Hugh Grant, and their son at an exclusive private school. Their world collapses when a fellow school parent, Elena, is murdered, and Jonathan becomes the prime suspect. As Grace investigates the crime and confronts secrets in her marriage, the series explores themes of deception, privilege, and perception. Directed by Susanne Bier and created by David E. Kelley, the six-episode miniseries blends psychological thriller elements with high-society drama, focusing on Grace's unraveling certainty about her life and relationships.