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The Ghoul

Name: The Ghoul
Director: Gareth Tunley
Released: 2017
Duration: 81 min

Representation Score

3.3/10

Limited

2017

Director

Gareth Tunley

Runtime

81 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Ghoul is a character-driven psychological thriller that prioritizes genre clichés like the unreliable narrator over diverse representations. The narrative focuses on individual psychological fragmentation rather than systemic or collective identity issues. While the film delves into the complexities of the human psyche, it lacks the intentionality needed for progressive narrative subversion. The focus remains on the investigative procedural and the protagonist's mental state.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Ghoul have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

There are no LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities in the film. The story does not address heterosexual norms or assumptions.

How does The Ghoul portray gender?

Fair

The story centers on a male homicide detective in a traditional authority role. His psychological instability challenges masculine stability, but it does not explicitly challenge gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Ghoul?

Minimal

The film lacks a diverse cast or non-white characters to drive the plot. It follows conventional genre casting patterns without ethnic variety.

How does The Ghoul represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film explores subjective truth through mental health themes but does not explicitly critique Western institutions, capitalism, or organized religion.

Does The Ghoul include disability representation?

Fair

The plot touches on neurodivergence through psychotherapy and blurred reality. However, it is unclear if these elements provide real control or function merely as thriller plot devices.

Present on Screen

Explores the complexities of the human psyche and the fragility of perception.
Engages with themes of mental health and the blurring of reality.

Limited or Absent

Lacks diverse character identities and characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity.
Does not offer a systemic critique of social hierarchies or institutions.
Relies on conventional genre casting patterns rather than racial diversity.

Official Synopsis

A homicide detective goes undercover as a patient to investigate a psychotherapist he believes is linked to a strange double murder. As his therapy sessions continue the line between fantasy and reality begins to blur.

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