7.8
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
His Dark Materials (2019)
His Dark Materials (2019)
Overview
Lyra is an orphan who lives in a parallel universe in which science, theology and magic are entwined. Her search for a kidnapped friend uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children and turns into a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. She is later joined on her journey by Will, a boy who possesses a knife that can cut windows between worlds. As she learns the truth about her parents and her prophesied destiny, the two young people are caught up in a war against celestial powers that ranges across many worlds.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Progressive
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Race Swap: Yes
Christianity: Negative
Viewer Rating
7.8
Overview
Lyra is an orphan who lives in a parallel universe in which science, theology and magic are entwined. Her search for a kidnapped friend uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children and turns into a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. She is later joined on her journey by Will, a boy who possesses a knife that can cut windows between worlds. As she learns the truth about her parents and her prophesied destiny, the two young people are caught up in a war against celestial powers that ranges across many worlds.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Progressive
Primary
The series' central conflict is a direct and explicit critique of an authoritarian religious institution (the Magisterium) that suppresses knowledge, free will, and individual thought, aligning with secularist and anti-authoritarian progressive ideologies.
The series 'His Dark Materials' demonstrates significant diversity through explicit racial recasting of several traditionally white roles from the source material. Its narrative also features a strong critique of oppressive power structures, largely embodied by a white, male-dominated religious authority.
Secondary
His Dark Materials features a positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters, most notably through the deeply depicted romantic relationship between the angels Balthamos and Baruch. Their bond is integral to the plot, portrayed with dignity, love, and sacrifice, affirming queer identity without relying on stereotypes or negative framing.
Several characters, including Will Parry and Lord Boreal, who were widely established as white in Philip Pullman's original novels, are portrayed by Black actors in the series adaptation.
The Magisterium, a powerful and oppressive religious institution clearly allegorical to an authoritarian Christian church, is portrayed as cruel, hypocritical, and fundamentally evil. It suppresses knowledge, freedom, and individual thought, committing atrocities in the name of its 'Authority'.
His Dark Materials, 2019, does not include any identifiable transsexual characters or themes within its narrative. The story focuses on other fantasy and philosophical elements, therefore, there is no depiction to evaluate regarding transsexual portrayals. For example, the main character Lyra's journey and the overarching plot do not involve any transsexual identities or related storylines.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The 2019 adaptation of Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' maintains the canonical genders of all major and significant characters from the original book series. No established characters were portrayed with a different gender on screen.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
7.7
7.8
Critic Ratings
8.4
7.1
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