The Following
AI Woke Score
Heavy-handed messaging over story.
confidence: medium
Audience Score
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Where to watch
The Verdict
The Following is a dark, pulpy serial-killer thriller driven by suspense and shock rather than identity messaging. Its main notable element is a same-sex relationship among the cult members, but it's woven into the plot rather than soapboxed. Overall a low-woke crime drama.
What the AI Flagged
Each axis scored 0–100, with the receipts. The headline score weights the worst offense, so a single egregious element isn't diluted by the rest.
Identity Swaps
0All original characters; nothing established or historical is swapped.
Girlboss & Male Demotion
15Male lead Ryan Hardy is the central, flawed-but-competent hero; female agents are capable without men being mocked as a message.
- Debra Parker leads aspects of the investigation alongside Ryan Hardy
- Ryan Hardy remains the driving protagonist throughout
LGBTQ+ / Trans / Non-Binary Content
55Features a gay/bisexual couple among Carroll's cult followers as a recurring storyline.
- Cult members Jacob and Paul are involved in a same-sex relationship dynamic
- Emma's bisexual involvement within the cult triangle
DEI Casting
20Contemporary American cast that fits a modern crime-thriller setting; no lore-breaking quota casting.
Preachiness
10A pulpy serial-killer thriller focused on suspense and gore rather than messaging.
Anti-Masculinity / Anti-West
10No framing of masculinity or the West as inherently toxic; villainy is individual psychopathy.
Source Betrayal
0Original series with no source material to betray.
Audience Reviews
Discussion
Cast & Crew
Kevin Bacon
Ryan Hardy
James Purefoy
Joe Carroll
Shawn Ashmore
Mike Weston
Jessica Stroup
Max Hardy
Sam Underwood
Mark Gray
Zuleikha Robinson
Gwen
Gregg Henry
Dr. Arthur Strauss
Kevin Williamson (Executive Producer) · Alexi Hawley (Executive Producer) · Marcos Siega (Executive Producer) · Brett Mahoney (Executive Producer)
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