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Earthbound

Name: Earthbound
Director: Alan Brennan
Released: 2012
Duration: 93 min

Representation Score

4.1/10

Fair

2012

Director

Alan Brennan

Runtime

93 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Earthbound functions as a genre-driven romantic comedy that heavily relies on science fiction clichés. While it employs the 'alien outsider' concept to delve into themes of belonging and social alienation, the narrative stays within conventional boundaries. The film lacks complexity in addressing multiple aspects of identity. It sticks to standard romantic archetypes and does not disrupt traditional gender, racial, or sexual orientation norms. Overall, the film uses a speculative lens to explore identity but does not offer a diverse or socially representative cast.

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Category Breakdown

Does Earthbound have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The story focuses on a romantic relationship between Joe and Maria but does not include any explicitly queer characters or challenge traditional heterosexual norms.

How does Earthbound portray gender?

Fair

Maria plays a key role in the male protagonist's personal development. The film adheres to a conventional romantic storyline without questioning traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Earthbound?

Limited

The narrative does not provide any details about the racial or ethnic backgrounds of the cast members. There is no indication of diverse casting or non-Anglo-Saxon representation.

How does Earthbound represent religion and culture?

Fair

Science fiction is used as a metaphor to explore the experiences of outsiders and the concept of normalcy through an extraterrestrial perspective.

Does Earthbound include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of characters with disabilities, neurodivergence, or chronic illnesses in the film's narrative.

Present on Screen

Uses science fiction to explore the experience of feeling like an outsider.
Provides a framework for questioning social conformity and normalcy.

Limited or Absent

Does not make visible efforts towards racial and ethnic diversity in the cast.
Relies on traditional gender roles where the female lead acts as a catalyst for the male lead.
Does not represent LGBTQ+ identities or neurodivergent characters.

Official Synopsis

At eleven years old Joe Norman is told by his dying father that he is an alien hiding on earth. Joe believes him. He grows up to be a die-hard fan-boy working in a comic shop. When he falls for down-to-earth Maria, a fellow sci-fi fan, he is inspired to lead a more normal social existence. Until intergalactic bounty hunters track Joe down at his new office and the couple soon learn the dangerous truth about who Joe really is.

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