5.9
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Shaft (2000)
Shaft (2000)
Overview
New York police detective John Shaft arrests Walter Wade Jr. for a racially motivated slaying. But the only eyewitness disappears, and Wade jumps bail for Switzerland. Two years later Wade returns to face trial, confident his money and influence will get him acquitted -- especially since he's paid a drug kingpin to kill the witness.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Progressive
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
Trans: Negative
Viewer Rating
5.9
Overview
New York police detective John Shaft arrests Walter Wade Jr. for a racially motivated slaying. But the only eyewitness disappears, and Wade jumps bail for Switzerland. Two years later Wade returns to face trial, confident his money and influence will get him acquitted -- especially since he's paid a drug kingpin to kill the witness.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Progressive
Primary
The film explicitly critiques systemic racism and police corruption, portraying a Black detective who must operate outside a compromised justice system to hold a privileged white murderer accountable, aligning with progressive critiques of power structures.
The movie features a diverse cast led by a Black protagonist, consistent with the franchise's established character. Its narrative explicitly critiques traditional power structures by portraying a privileged white male antagonist involved in a racially motivated crime, making themes of racial justice and systemic inequality central to the plot.
Secondary
The film features Dianne, a trans woman, as a murder witness and victim. Her trans identity is revealed by the protagonist and is often discussed using misgendering language by characters. Her role primarily serves as a plot device to advance the main narrative, rather than offering a dignified or complex portrayal.
The film 'Shaft' (2000) does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or explore related themes. Its narrative is centered on racial tensions, crime, and the pursuit of justice, rendering the portrayal of LGBTQ+ elements as not applicable.
The film features female characters, including a detective, but none are depicted engaging in or winning close-quarters physical combat against one or more male opponents. Combat victories by female characters, if any, are achieved through firearms, which are excluded from the criteria.
The 2000 film features John Shaft, a character consistently portrayed as male across all prior iterations and source material. No other established characters from the Shaft canon undergo a gender change in this installment.
The character John Shaft, established as Black in the original novels and 1971 film, is portrayed by a Black actor (Samuel L. Jackson) in the 2000 film. The original actor, Richard Roundtree, also reprises his role as the elder Shaft. No established character's race was changed.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
6.0
6.0
Critic Ratings
6.7
5.0
More Like This
Leans Progressive
7.0
American Psycho
(2000)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Neutral
Leans Progressive
7.5
Jackie Brown
(1997)
Political: Center
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
7.7
Spider-Man: Far From Home
(2019)
Political: Center
Diversity: High
Center
7.8
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
(2014)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Female Combat: Yes
Leans Progressive
6.7
Kong: Skull Island
(2017)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
7.4
Lethal Weapon 2
(1989)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
6.9
Captain Marvel
(2019)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
Female Combat: Yes
Progressive
8.8
One Battle After Another
(2025)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Negative
Female Combat: Yes
Center
7.8
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
(2011)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Female Combat: Yes
Center
7.4
The Bad Guys
(2022)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Female Combat: Yes
Leans Progressive
7.0
The Mighty Quinn
(1989)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
8.2
Thelma & Louise
(1991)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Progressive
6.7
Wanted
(2008)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
7.1
Ms .45
(1981)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
Center
8.1
Kill Bill: Vol. 2
(2004)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Female Combat: Yes
Leans Progressive
6.8
Bound by Honor
(1993)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Negative
Progressive
6.7
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
(1965)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
Female Combat: Yes
Center
8.1
John Wick: Chapter 4
(2023)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Female Combat: Yes
Center
6.9
Ballerina
(2025)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Female Combat: Yes
Progressive
7.1
Shaft
(1971)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High