Set in 1960-1970 New York, this sexy, stylized and provocative drama follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising.
Set in 1960-1970 New York, this sexy, stylized and provocative drama follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising.
Mad Men receives a Left-Leaning rating because its central narrative extensively critiques systemic sexism, racial inequality, and the superficiality of consumer culture prevalent in 1960s American society, aligning with progressive values despite its focus on individual character arcs.
The series primarily features a traditional cast reflecting its 1960s setting, without explicit DEI-driven casting choices. However, its narrative offers a strong and central critique of traditional identities and societal structures, particularly regarding gender roles and the male-dominated corporate world of the era.
Mad Men features Sal Romano, a closeted gay character whose arc highlights the profound challenges of LGBTQ+ identity in the 1960s. The show portrays Sal with dignity and complexity, framing his professional downfall and personal struggles as a tragic consequence of societal homophobia. The narrative's empathetic stance implicitly affirms the worth of his life by critiquing the external forces that cause his suffering.
The show frequently exposes the hypocrisy, superficiality, and restrictive nature of Christian institutions and adherents, often contrasting professed faith with characters' actual behaviors and desires. It highlights the societal pressures and moral failings associated with its portrayal.
Mad Men consistently portrays anti-Semitism as a prevalent and unacceptable prejudice within the 1960s advertising world. Jewish characters, such as Rachel Menken, are depicted with intelligence, strength, and dignity, with the narrative framing clearly condemning the bigotry they face.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Mad Men is an original television series featuring characters created specifically for the show. There are no pre-existing canonical or historical characters whose gender could have been altered.
Mad Men is an original television series, not an adaptation of pre-existing material or a biopic. All characters were created for the show, meaning there are no established legacy or historical characters whose race could have been altered from a prior canon.
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources