The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009)

Bias Rating

Analyzing...

Center

Viewer Rating

Rating: 5.8

Overview

In early afternoon, four armed men hijack a subway train in Manhattan. They stop on a slight incline, decoupling the first car to let the rest of the train coast back. Their leader is Ryder; he connects by phone with Wal...

Starring Cast

Denzel Washington • John Travolta • Luis Guzmán

Where to watch

Philo

Prime Video

Apple TV

Bias Dimensions

Political: Center

Diversity: Moderate

Race Swap: Yes

Overview

Starring Cast

Denzel Washington • John Travolta • Luis Guzmán

Where to watch

Philo

Prime Video

Apple TV

Detailed Bias Analysis

Analyzing...

Center

Primary

Political: CenterConfidence: High

While the antagonist's motivations touch on left-leaning critiques of financial systems and economic inequality, the film's central focus remains on a high-stakes individual cat-and-mouse thriller, resolving the conflict through individual ingenuity and moral courage rather than advocating for systemic change or a specific political ideology.

Diversity: ModerateConfidence: High

The movie features a diverse cast, including a prominent Black actor in the lead role, which contributes to visible representation. However, the narrative itself does not engage with or critique traditional identities, nor does it explicitly center on diversity, equity, or inclusion themes.

Secondary

Race Swap: YesConfidence: High

The character Walter Garber, originally portrayed as white in the source novel and 1974 film, is played by Denzel Washington (Black) in the 2009 adaptation, constituting a race swap.

LGBTQ: N/AConfidence: High

The film 'The Taking of Pelham 123' is an action-thriller focused on a subway hijacking and its resolution. Its narrative does not include any LGBTQ+ characters, storylines, or themes, resulting in no discernible portrayal of the community.

FemPower: NoConfidence: High

The film focuses on a subway hijacking and the negotiations between the dispatcher and the hijackers. There are no significant female characters depicted engaging in or winning close-quarters physical combat against male opponents.

Gender Swap: NoConfidence: High

The 2009 film is an adaptation of a novel and a previous film. All major characters, including Walter Garber and Ryder, maintain the same gender as established in the source material and earlier adaptation. No character's gender was changed.