You are here:
The Banished

The Banished

2025

Director

Joseph Sims-Dennett

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Grace has nowhere to turn when she finds herself lost in the wilderness with a dark presence threatening to consume her in this twisted folk horror.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

4.8/10

Fair


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film lacks explicit confirmation of non-cisnormative identities or same-sex dynamics. While folk horror often uses outsider metaphors for queer experiences, no specific romantic arcs are present.

Gender Representation

Fair

Grace serves as a central female protagonist navigating a hostile wilderness. She demonstrates survivalist agency, though the film does not explicitly deconstruct traditional masculine roles or gender hierarchies.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

A multi-ethnic ensemble is suggested by names like Gautier de Fontaine and Lawrence Ola. However, it remains unclear if these characters possess high agency or follow traditional casting patterns.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Fair

As a folk horror, the film explores isolated, superstitious environments. This setting suggests a departure from standard Western morality, potentially critiquing established social orders through its twisted themes.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no mention of characters with visible or invisible disabilities in the cast or narrative description.

Strengths

  • The film centers on a female protagonist, Grace, who displays survivalist agency rather than acting as a passive damsel.
  • The cast list indicates a multi-ethnic ensemble, suggesting a diverse range of performers.

Areas for Improvement

  • The film lacks verifiable representation of LGBTQ+ identities or specific queer character arcs.
  • There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.
  • The depth of racial and ethnic integration within the character roles remains unconfirmed.

AI Analysis

The Banished operates primarily within the established conventions of the folk horror genre. While it avoids some tropes by centering on a female protagonist with survivalist agency, the narrative lacks verifiable intersectional complexity. The cast suggests a multi-ethnic ensemble, but the social dynamics and specific identities of these characters remain unconfirmed. This makes it difficult to determine if the diversity is meaningful or merely superficial. Ultimately, the film provides a moderate level of inclusion without actively subverting systemic hierarchies or providing explicit representation for LGBTQ+ or disabled communities.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.