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The Shape of Things to Come

Name: The Shape of Things to Come
Director: George McCowan
Released: 1979
Duration: 98 min

Representation Score

3.2/10

Limited

1979

Director

George McCowan

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film is a conventional 1970s science fiction adventure that prioritizes a centralized, patriarchal heroism. It relies on a clear moral dichotomy between the protectors of humanity and a singular, megalomaniacal villain. While the film offers some female participation in a technical, high-stakes mission, it lacks multi-layered depth. The narrative structure remains rooted in traditional Western clichés and standard genre conventions of its era.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Shape of Things to Come have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. The character dynamics follow a traditional peer-group structure typical of 1970s adventure cinema.

How does The Shape of Things to Come portray gender?

Fair

The story centers on a patriarchal hierarchy led by Dr. Caball and his son. Kim provides some ability to act by participating in the high-stakes mission.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Shape of Things to Come?

Fair

The narrative focuses on a generic 'humanity' in a post-apocalyptic setting. There is no specific evidence of diverse casting beyond standard Western-centric models.

How does The Shape of Things to Come represent religion and culture?

Limited

The plot follows a classic hero versus villain framework. It upholds traditional Western values of scientific stewardship and the protection of established civilization.

Does The Shape of Things to Come include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information available regarding characters with visible or invisible disabilities in this production.

Present on Screen

Kim participates in a technical, high-stakes mission, providing a moderate departure from submissive feminine roles.
The film presents a clear, engaging conflict between scientific stewardship and destructive megalomania.

Limited or Absent

The narrative relies on a patriarchal hierarchy that centers leadership around male figures.
The film lacks diverse character descriptions, suggesting a reliance on homogeneous, Western-centric casting.
There is no evidence of LGBTQ+ representation or narratives that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

Official Synopsis

Planet Earth is a devastated wasteland, and what's left of humanity has colonized the Moon in domed cities. Humanity's continued survival depends on an anti-radiation drug only available on planet Delta Three, which has been taken over by Omus, a brilliant but mad mechanic who places no value on human life. Omus wants to come to the Moon to rule and intends to attack it by ramming robot-controlled spaceships into the domes. Dr. John Caball, his son Jason, Jason's friend, Kim, and a robot named Sparks embark on Caball's space battlecruiser on an unauthorized mission to Delta Three to stop Omus.

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