The Widow
2020
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 3.2 out of 10
You are here:
Find another title
Type to search for movies. Use arrow keys to navigate suggestions, Enter to select, Escape to close.
Side Effect
2020
Director
Alexey Kazakov
Runtime
93 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
A traumatic experience leads to a break-up between a young married couple. In a desperate attempt to save their marriage, Andrey, the husband, seeks help from a psychic named Mara. His only wish is to make his wife Olga forget the past. Mara's magic works, but the second honeymoon soon turns into a living nightmare... Andrey gradually recognizes that he is dealing with a powerful evil that possesses his wife, and the price of the psychic's service is Olga’s life.
Where to Watch
Diversity & Representation
Overall Score
3.2/10
Limited
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The story centers on a traditional heteronormative marriage. There is no evidence of queer narratives or non-cisnormative identities within the plot.
Gender Representation
The film follows conventional gendered tropes. Andrey acts as the primary agent of change, while Olga occupies a position of vulnerability and supernatural possession.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The production appears to feature a homogeneous cast. There is no indication of multicultural casting or diverse ethnic backgrounds used to challenge norms.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The narrative explores superstition and spiritualism through a psychic character. It functions as a cautionary tale about personal morality rather than a cultural critique.
Disability Representation
While the plot involves psychological trauma, there is no specific representation of neurodivergence or physical disabilities as central character identities.
Strengths
- Explores the psychological toll of trauma and the consequences of seeking supernatural shortcuts to resolve domestic conflict.
Areas for Improvement
- Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities, diverse ethnic backgrounds, or neurodivergent characters.
- Relies on traditional gender roles where the female protagonist lacks agency and becomes a vessel for external forces.
- Maintains a homogeneous cast and a singular cultural perspective without multicultural engagement.
AI Analysis
Side Effect operates as a conventional horror-thriller that prioritizes psychological suspense over social commentary. The narrative architecture relies on established genre tropes rather than deconstructing social hierarchies or intersectional identities. The film maintains a very traditional framework, focusing on a singular cultural experience and a heteronormative domestic unit. This approach limits the scope of representation, as the characters and themes remain within standard genre boundaries. Ultimately, the film lacks engagement with diverse identities, focusing instead on individual trauma and the supernatural consequences of seeking emotional shortcuts.
Similar Movies
Hex
2018
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 3.2 out of 10
The Monkey's Paw
2013
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 2.2 out of 10
The Ice Demon
2021
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 2.6 out of 10
Passenger
2026
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 3.8 out of 10
Bag of Lies
2024
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 2.9 out of 10
House of Good and Evil
2013
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 1.5 out of 10
Sijjin
2023
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 2.6 out of 10
Dead and Gone
2008
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 3.2 out of 10
Damned Memory
2016
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 4.9 out of 10
Mudborn
2025
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 5.9 out of 10
The Perfect Husband
2014
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 3.7 out of 10
Rate this Movie
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!
Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.