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Things to Come

Things to Come

Representation Score

6.5/10

Good

2016

PG-13

Director

Mia Hansen-Løve

Runtime

102 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Things to Come is a specialized study of female intellectual ability to act. It portrays a woman whose identity is rooted in her vocation and mind rather than her marital status. By centering Nathalie's professional life as a philosophy teacher, the film disrupts traditional domestic hierarchies. However, the film's impact is limited by its homogeneity. The social environment is deeply Eurocentric and lacks racial or multi-layered diversity. This creates a narrow lens that, while intimate, does not engage with multicultural identities. Ultimately, the film focuses on individual resilience but lacks breadth in other demographic areas.

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Category Breakdown

Does Things to Come have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story follows a conventional structure where the husband's departure for another woman serves as a plot device for personal upheaval rather than exploring queer identities.

How does Things to Come portray gender?

Good

Nathalie is defined by her intellectual independence and professional authority. The film highlights her capacity for independent thought and self-determined autonomy, challenging traditional domestic roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Things to Come?

Limited

The cast is predominantly white, reflecting a specific Parisian intellectual class. The narrative lacks diversity in race and remains rooted in a Eurocentric socioeconomic context.

How does Things to Come represent religion and culture?

Good

The film prioritizes secularism and philosophical inquiry over religious dogma. It presents nuanced familial bonds, avoiding idealized clichés by showing the emotional labor within parent-child relationships.

Does Things to Come include disability representation?

Fair

There is no intentional focus on visible or invisible disabilities. The narrative centers on neurotypical emotional processing and psychological resilience throughout the character arcs.

Present on Screen

  • Strong portrayal of female intellectual independence and professional authority.
  • Challenges traditional domestic roles by emphasizing female autonomy.
  • Nuanced depiction of familial bonds and emotional labor.

Limited or Absent

  • Lack of racial and multi-layered diversity within the social setting.
  • Minimal representation of LGBTQ+ identities or lived experiences.
  • Absence of disability as a narrative driver or character element.

Official Synopsis

Nathalie teaches philosophy at a high school in Paris. She is passionate about her job and particularly enjoys passing on the pleasure of thinking. Married with two children, she divides her time between her family, former students and her very possessive mother. One day, Nathalie’s husband announces he is leaving her for another woman. With freedom thrust upon her, Nathalie must reinvent her life.

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