“All artwork is political.” It is the Helen of Troy of tradition warfare statements, so to talk, having launched a thousand thinkpieces arguing each in favor of and in opposition to the notion. Nevertheless it may also be a tad deceptive. Maybe a greater solution to phrase it might be: “All artwork exists in a political context.” In spite of everything, a movie alongside the traces of “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” won’t be as patently political as “Sinners” or so many other great movies that came out in 2025. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless a movie the place an undocumented immigrant is unjustly captured and imprisoned by the U.S. navy as a part of a series of horrible occasions that just about culminate in Earth’s being destroyed. (Go rewatch it, and inform me I am flawed!)
That is price making an allowance for as we look at some feedback that creator Andy Weir as soon as made throughout an interview with Futurism to advertise his 2017 sci-fi novel “Artemis.” On the time, Weir claimed, “I dislike social commentary,” later stating, “I put no politics or social commentary into my tales in any respect.” As he elaborated on that, Bizarre clarified that this has nothing to do with whether or not or not he himself agrees with the political factors being raised, both. “As an example, as a lifelong ‘Star Trek’ fan, it is at all times bothered me that there’s a presumed ‘accountability’ inside ‘Star Trek’ reveals to speak about social points. I simply wish to watch Romulans and the Federation shoot at one another,” he proceeded to elucidate.
“I am not saying anybody else ought to maintain my view,” Weir shortly added, later noting that there isn’t any “flawed” solution to have interaction with politics in storytelling and artwork total. So, in the identical beneficiant spirit, let’s take the time to unpack his argument (and whether or not his personal books assist him).
Star Trek, like all sci-fi, is at all times political … however that does not imply it is at all times good
Whenever you get right down to the brass tacks of the matter, what Andy Weir actually gave the impression to be getting at is that the “Star Trek” franchise and comparable sci-fi works may be responsible of prioritizing their messaging over telling a compelling story. And, certain, that is a good critique. It is not a problem that is unique to sci-fi, both. For every great horror movie about grief and trauma, there are many others so centered on Saying One thing that they neglect to incorporate fascinating characters or a stirring plot.
On the flip aspect, whether or not a murals is soapboxing on the expense of being entertaining lies within the eye of the beholder. “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country” isn’t remotely subtle in the way it examines how idealists grow conservative or alludes to real-life occasions from the Chilly Conflict, however I nonetheless beloved it after I first noticed it as a child. It stays my favourite “Star Trek” film, even now that I am completely conscious of its political allegories. It is not like “The Undiscovered Nation” is an outlier on the subject of “Star Trek” initiatives providing bold-faced social commentary, both, which is simply another reason to roll your eyes at anybody who complains about a modern show like “Starfleet Academy” having “made ‘Star Trek’ woke.”
However once more, simply because “Star Trek,” as a model, has at all times been in-your-face political, that does not imply its storytelling recreation is persistently robust, or the factors it raises are by no means suspect. (Let’s simply say you may by no means take a look at the film “Star Trek Into Darkness” the identical manner as soon as you realize one in every of its co-writers was apparently a 9/11 conspiracy theorist.) However how does Weir’s writing fare by comparability?
Andy Weir’s work is political whether or not he sees it that manner or not
It is price reiterating that, by his personal account, Andy Weir is a Trekkie, and that reveals in his work. His debut novel, “The Martian,” not solely champions worldwide cooperation but in addition illustrates how good science may be utilized to beat even essentially the most seemingly insurmountable issues and subscribes to the assumption that each life issues. These are all values totally in line with these of the “Star Trek” property on the whole, and, to me, neither Weir’s e book nor its Ridley Scott-directed movie adaptation is particularly understated in its presentation. That goes double for Weir’s different novels, like “Undertaking Hail Mary” (which has now been adapted into a celebrated Ryan Gosling vehicle).
Nonetheless, I do perceive Weir’s level. “The Martian” and “Undertaking Hail Mary” are filled with political commentary, however it’s woven seamlessly into their in any other case charming narratives, to the purpose that it appears even Weir himself won’t notice it. And although it jumps out at somebody like me, it is actually my job to determine what is going on on below the hood of artwork that leaves me feeling enthralled or invigorated (or, y’know, the other of that). Simply the identical, I discover the notion that the one solution to make significant artwork is to keep away from taking a sledgehammer method to your messaging considerably reductive. Sci-fi franchises like “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” yell their politics at audiences on a regular basis. As long as they make the journey price taking, say, the way “Andor” does with “Star Wars” or “Lower Decks” does with “Star Trek,” it feels foolish to get hung up on the concept that you may be studying one thing.
“Projet Hail Mary” flies into theaters on March 20, 2026.
