You are here:

Pray for Rain

Name: Pray for Rain
Director: Alex Ranarivelo
Released: 2017
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

4.0/10

Fair

2017

PG-13

Director

Alex Ranarivelo

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Pray for Rain functions mainly as a genre-driven mystery-thriller. It stands out by featuring a capable female protagonist who leads the investigation, diverging from the usual male-centric detective stories. However, the film lacks depth in representing diverse identities, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals and those with disabilities. While it touches on themes of systemic instability and environmental decay, the focus remains on plot-driven suspense rather than a broader social critique.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Pray for Rain have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any explicit representation of LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. The story revolves around a family mystery, adhering to a conventional narrative structure.

How does Pray for Rain portray gender?

Fair

Emma Gardner, a sharp and intelligent reporter, plays a significant role in driving the story. This shifts the focus away from the typical male-detective thriller format.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Pray for Rain?

Fair

The story is set in a community affected by poverty and gang violence. However, the specific racial makeup of the community is not clearly defined.

How does Pray for Rain represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative examines the breakdown of community due to environmental and economic crises. It critiques systemic issues without focusing on specific ideological frameworks.

Does Pray for Rain include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information available regarding the inclusion of characters with physical, sensory, or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

The film features a smart female protagonist who drives the investigation, challenging traditional male-centric detective narratives.
It explores themes of systemic instability and the impact of environmental crises on rural communities.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities and non-cisgender characters.
There is no visible inclusion of characters with physical, sensory, or neurodivergent disabilities.
The racial and ethnic diversity of the community is not explicitly addressed in the narrative.

Official Synopsis

When Emma Gardner, a whip smart NYC reporter learns of her father's untimely death, she returns to her home town to find that the idyllic farming community of her childhood has been ravaged by drought and has become a place tormented by gangs and the ill effects of extreme poverty. She quickly figures out that her dad's accidental death was not accidental at all. The lists of possible suspects include overly zealous environmentalists, a local war lord and other farmers jealous of her father's outstanding reputation.

How are these scores produced? →