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A Mermaid's Tale

Name: A Mermaid's Tale
Director: Dustin Rikert
Released: 2017
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

4.0/10

Limited

2017

Director

Dustin Rikert

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

A Mermaid's Tale follows a conventional coming-of-age storyline within a family adventure framework. The plot employs the mysterious stranger cliché to evoke a sense of wonder and discovery for the young protagonist. Though the inclusion of a mythical figure like Coral offers a metaphor for 'otherness,' the film lacks the necessary complexity to address systemic power dynamics. It prioritizes escapism and conventional storytelling over social critique. Overall, the film operates as a standard genre piece. It provides moderate representation through its female lead but falls short of the intentionality needed for high diversity.

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Category Breakdown

Does A Mermaid's Tale have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story revolves around a friendship between a human girl and a mermaid. Although the mermaid serves as a metaphor for being an outsider, there is no clear indication of a queer identity.

How does A Mermaid's Tale portray gender?

Fair

The film highlights a female protagonist named Ryan, offering a platform for female-driven action. However, it remains uncertain whether the film challenges traditional gender roles or upholds typical family structures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is A Mermaid's Tale?

Fair

Set in a declining fishing town, the narrative implies a predominantly homogeneous population. There are no specific mentions of diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds.

How does A Mermaid's Tale represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film emphasizes traditional family values such as community and discovery. It focuses on environmental and communal resilience rather than questioning Western or secular norms.

Does A Mermaid's Tale include disability representation?

Minimal

No characters with visible or invisible disabilities are mentioned in the narrative.

Present on Screen

The film centers on a young female protagonist, providing a platform for female-driven action.
The inclusion of a mythical character offers a metaphor for navigating 'otherness.'

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks explicit representation of queer identities or a critique of the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.
The setting and character descriptions suggest a conventional, homogeneous demographic rather than a diverse one.
There is no evidence of characters representing various disabilities or complex social hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

12-year-old Ryan moves to the town where her father was born—a bleak, dying fishing town. However, exploring the coast, she discovers a cove that is home to a mysterious girl named Coral who reveals herself to be a mermaid.

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