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It's Alive

Name: It's Alive
Director: Josef Rusnak
Released: 2009
Duration: 82 min

Representation Score

2.8/10

Limited

2009

Director

Josef Rusnak

Runtime

82 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

It's Alive functions as a conventional genre piece that prioritizes horror clichés over exploring diverse identities. The narrative structure adheres to established science fiction traditions without attempting to challenge social hierarchies. The film lacks significant representation of multiple aspects of identity. It relies on a homogeneous cast and traditional gendered power dynamics, offering little in the way of cultural or social deconstruction. While the central premise uses a biological mutation to explore themes of 'otherness,' it remains tied to standard genre mechanics rather than providing meaningful representation of disability or systemic critique.

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Category Breakdown

Does It's Alive have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities. It centers on a traditional family structure where everyone is assumed to be straight and cisgender.

How does It's Alive portray gender?

Fair

The film emphasizes traditional gender roles, focusing on the father's struggle to manage a biological anomaly. The central conflict is viewed through a patriarchal lens of protection and control.

How racially and ethnically diverse is It's Alive?

Minimal

The film features a predominantly white cast with a homogeneous background. The setting and characters reflect a typical middle-class Western demographic without intentional multi-ethnic inclusion.

How does It's Alive represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film highlights the breakdown of the traditional parent-child relationship due to the horror premise. It focuses on domestic disruption without critiquing Western institutions.

Does It's Alive include disability representation?

Fair

A biological mutation serves as a metaphor for 'otherness.' However, the depiction uses the mutation primarily as a plot device for horror rather than giving characters real control over their situation.

Present on Screen

The film uses a biological mutation as a metaphor for 'otherness' within the horror framework.
It avoids framing the central anomaly as an inspirational figure by depicting it as a predatory threat.

Limited or Absent

The cast is predominantly white and lacks multi-ethnic inclusion.
Gender dynamics emphasize traditional patriarchal roles and protectionist themes.
There is a complete absence of LGBTQ+ characters or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities.
The narrative lacks intentional efforts to challenge or go beyond established social hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

When Lenore Harker learns that she's pregnant, she leaves graduate school to set up a home with her boyfriend Frank in the country. The happy new family's lives takes a gruesome turn when animals and people end up brutally dead – all with a mysterious connection to their newborn.

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