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Trick: The Movie

Name: Trick: The Movie
Director: Yukihiko Tsutsumi
Released: 2002
Duration: 119 min

Representation Score

6.7/10

Good

2002

Director

Yukihiko Tsutsumi

Runtime

119 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Trick: The Movie is a genre-blurring mystery that emphasizes intellectual challenges over demographic representation. It questions the validity of spiritual and social institutions through a postmodern lens. The film excels in breaking down traditional gender hierarchies and challenging the sanctity of authority. Naoko stands out as a highly capable protagonist who drives the narrative through her intellect and skills. However, the film remains limited by its focus on a localized cultural context and a lack of diverse representation. It does not engage with LGBTQ+ identities or disabilities, focusing instead on the central mystery.

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Category Breakdown

Does Trick: The Movie have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on the intellectual interactions between its main trio. There is no clear indication of LGBTQ+ identities or stories meant to challenge the idea that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Trick: The Movie portray gender?

Good

Naoko is a central figure who causes chaos and demonstrates great intellect rather than serving as a decorative character. The relationship between the magician and physicist suggests a shift away from traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Trick: The Movie?

Limited

The cast and setting are mainly homogeneous, reflecting a local Japanese context. The film lacks the broad diversity seen in more globally oriented stories.

How does Trick: The Movie represent religion and culture?

Good

The plot revolves around the tension between gods and frauds, promoting skepticism towards religion. It questions the legitimacy of traditional authority by suggesting that godhood can be a performance.

Does Trick: The Movie include disability representation?

Fair

The film includes a physicist with a unique cognitive profile. However, it does not represent neurodivergence or physical disabilities as key identity markers.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by presenting the female lead as a highly capable intellectual.
Promotes skepticism towards religion and institutional authority.
Features a strong, character-driven dynamic that defies traditional expectations of expertise.

Limited or Absent

Lacks diverse representation and engagement with LGBTQ+ identities.
Maintains a predominantly homogeneous cast reflecting a localized perspective.
Does not incorporate neurodivergence or physical disabilities as central narrative elements.

Official Synopsis

Disaster befalls a village's inhabitants every 300 years. A popular self-styled magician named Naoko (Yukie Nakama) is summoned as a deity to rid the people of their anxiety. But there are many would-be deities there, each posing as a god. When a series of bizarre incidents occur, Naoko is cornered with a genius physicist (Hiroshi Abe) and Detective Yabe (Katsuhisa Namase). Do deities actually exist, or are they charlatans?

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