You are here:

The Lift

Name: The Lift
Director: Peter Mourougaya
Released: 2020
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

5.8/10

Fair

2020

Director

Peter Mourougaya

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Lift stands out in the horror genre by emphasizing localized Vietnamese folklore and cultural rituals. By centering the mystery on a ritualistic gateway, the film moves away from standard Western moral frameworks toward a more culturally grounded experience. The film also highlights women's ability to drive the story. Instead of relying on traditional victim archetypes, the protagonists actively engage with the supernatural elements. This provides a more empowered character dynamic. However, the film lacks visible representation for LGBTQ+ identities or characters with disabilities. While it excels in ethnic and gendered subversion, these specific demographic gaps limit its overall diversity profile.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Lift have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on the relationship between Trang and her cousin, but there are no explicit LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationship dynamics.

How does The Lift portray gender?

Fair

The story centers on women's ability to drive the plot, featuring two active female investigators. This approach breaks away from typical horror clichés by moving protagonists beyond passive victim roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Lift?

Good

The film offers high ethnic specificity by focusing on a Vietnamese context. It incorporates regional folklore and non-Western perspectives to create a culturally distinct experience.

How does The Lift represent religion and culture?

Good

The plot engages with non-Western spiritual frameworks through a ritualistic game. It prioritizes localized belief systems over traditional Western moral structures.

Does The Lift include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information available regarding characters with visible or invisible disabilities in the provided narrative.

Present on Screen

Strong ethnic specificity through a Vietnamese cultural lens.
Subversion of horror clichés by centering women's ability to drive the story and investigation.
Engagement with non-Western spiritual frameworks and localized folklore.

Limited or Absent

Lack of visible LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight relationship dynamics.
Absence of characters representing disability or diverse physical abilities.

Official Synopsis

University student Trang's friend suddenly goes missing after she was last seen playing a ritual game in an elevator. She and her cousin investigate the place where the girl vanished, and get obsessively invested with what might be a door to a terrifying dark world. The exploration gets even darker when they commence a thrilling cat-and-mouse game with someone - or something - that's out to get them.

How are these scores produced? →