The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
Trailer
Synopsis
Set in a retro-futuristic reality reminiscent of the 1960s, this adventure follows Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm as they confront an unprecedented threat. The four heroes must work together to protect Earth from being consumed by a colossal cosmic entity named Galactus and his mysterious emissary, the Silver Surfer. To succeed, they will have to rely on their strong familial bond while balancing their demanding duties as protectors.
AuntieWoke uses advanced AI to help keep your family safe, but it can make mistakes. Please use your own judgment.
Woke Score Breakdown
🎭 Race-swapped character
2Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic), who is traditionally depicted as a white, Caucasian man in the comic source material and prior film adaptations, is portrayed by Pedro Pascal, an actor of Chilean/Latino descent.
🔃 Gender-swapped character
2The iconic role of the Silver Surfer, traditionally depicted as the male Norrin Radd, is adapted here as the female Shalla-Bal (portrayed by Julia Garner), who acts as the primary herald of Galactus.
👥 Diverse casting
2The film features a more demographically diverse ensemble than the original, entirely white 1960s comic book source material, including casting Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards and Sarah Niles as Lynne Nichols.
✊ Racial messaging
1The film does not address systemic racism, racial grievance, or themes of white culpability.
🛂 Immigrant themes
1There are no immigration, open borders, or immigrant-experience themes present in the story.
🪶 Indigenous peoples
1The plot does not feature colonization, dispossession, or issues related to indigenous peoples.
🏳️🌈 LGBT characters
1No LGBT characters or relationships are featured in the movie.
♀️ Feminist themes
1While Sue Storm and Shalla-Bal are strong and capable female characters, their story arcs focus on maternal instincts, pregnancy, and protecting their children, which reinforces and embraces traditional family roles rather than critiquing them.
🏢 Anti-capitalist themes
1The main antagonist is Galactus, a cosmic entity, and there are no underlying messages portraying corporations or capitalism as exploitative.
🌱 Environmental issues
1The threat of Galactus consuming the Earth is framed as an existential, cosmic threat rather than an allegory for human-caused environmental or climate issues.
Content Rating Breakdown
💋 Sex & Nudity
MildReed Richards and Sue Storm are shown kissing and embracing as an affectionate married couple, and there is a mildly suggestive joke regarding Sue's pregnancy. Johnny Storm makes a few comments about the Silver Surfer being 'sexy,' and the team briefly discusses whether her silver appearance is a metallic coating or if she is naked. It is also mentioned that Sue must go naked to remain completely invisible prior to getting her specialized suit, though no graphic details are shown, and there is only a brief, non-explicit depiction of partial rear nudity.
🩸 Violence & Gore
ModerateThe film features stylized superhero action, including sci-fi battles with energy blasts, superhuman hits, high-speed pursuits, and collapsing buildings. While most of the action is bloodless and lacks graphic detail, there is some visible minor injury, such as Reed Richards having bloody cuts on his face after being stretched to an extreme length.
🤬 Profanity
MildProfanity is infrequent and mild, including a single use of 'bullshit' (or 'shit') and occasional uses of 'hell', 'asshole', 'screw', and 'damn'. There are also occasional mild exclamations using deity names, such as 'Sweet Jesus' and 'God'.
🍺 Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking
MildThere is some casual, background-level drinking. Ben Grimm is seen holding a bottle of beer a couple of times, and other characters are depicted drinking wine during social and family gatherings.
👻 Frightening & Intense Scenes
ModerateThe film contains sequences of moderate tension and peril, centered around the apocalyptic threat of Galactus attempting to consume Earth and a plot point where Reed and Sue's baby is placed in danger. There are also brief moments of suspense, such as an audio recording of alien civilizations pleading for their lives before their planets are destroyed.