Was 'Mad Max: Fury Road' Woke?

The term woke, meaning socially aware and active, has become increasingly prevalent in Hollywood films. This trend led to the adaptation and re-interpretation of classic works. One such movie that sparked discussion was Mad Max: Fury Road. Was this film truly woke, or did it just fit into the growing wave of socially-conscious cinema?

The Feminist Angle

The film was marketed as a feminist piece, partly due to the involvement of one of the most prominent female scriptwriters. Its protagonist, Imperator Furiosa, played by Charlize Theron, takes center stage in a film that originally seemed to revolve around Max, the traditional male protagonist. Furiosa’s quest to escape Immortan Joe’s harem and return to her homeland not only transformed the narrative but also shifted the focus of the film.

Is It Woke?

Did Mad Max: Fury Road fully embrace the woke ideals it seemed to promote? To some extent, it did. Furiosa’s story was far more significant than Max’s, and the scriptwriters ensured that the film would not just acknowledge but truly integrate a strong, independent female character. Her escape and subsequent leadership in rebuilding a colony marked a significant shift in the film’s narrative, elevating women's roles and providing a re-interpretation of the Mad Max universe.

Max's Role and Relevance

Max, on the other hand, appears as a character who embodies wanderlust more than a traditional protagonist. In The Road Warrior, Max is described as a scavenger and a “living off the corpse of the old world,” indicating his detachment from society and a lack of attachment to community. This wandering lifestyle leads Max to constantly leave behind these communities, as seen in the subsequent films Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and The Wrath of Khan.

When Immortan Joe is disposed of, Furiosa takes over the leadership of the community, bringing the remaining brides back with hope and promise for a better future. Max, however, leaves once again, continuing his solitary journey. This decision, while ultimately his, steps him out of the limelight, leaving the real story to be about the rebuilding and future of the colony.

Conclusion

While Mad Max: Fury Road can be seen as a step forward in the narrative representation of women and leadership, it is also a reflection of Max's limitations. The film embraced wakes by providing a strong female protagonist, but at the same time, it illustrated the inherent limitations and contradictions of Max's character. The film was woke in its portrayal of Furiosa's character and storyline, stepping away from the traditional male-centric narrative. However, Max's storyline ultimately remains individualistic and solitary, a reversal of the traditional ex-protagonist.

Despite this, the film serves as a template for future works in Hollywood, promoting strong female roles and breaking stereotypes. In the ever-evolving landscape of socially-aware cinema, Mad Max: Fury Road stands as a significant milestone, even if it wasn't the

final word on the subject.