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The Pest

Name: The Pest
Director: Paul Miller
Released: 1997
Duration: 82 min

Representation Score

3.8/10

Limited

1997

PG-13

Director

Paul Miller

Runtime

82 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film offers a moderate level of diversity by placing a Latino protagonist at the center of the action. This choice provides meaningful representation by moving an ethnic minority character from the periphery to a position of high ability to act. However, the narrative remains limited by a conventional masculine-driven conflict. The story focuses primarily on a survival struggle between two male characters without much multi-layered complexity or deeper thematic exploration of social institutions.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Pest have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or stories about non-cisgender identities. It focuses on a traditional action-comedy conflict without queer representation.

How does The Pest portray gender?

Fair

The story centers on a male protagonist and a male antagonist. There is no indication of women's ability to drive the story or the subversion of traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Pest?

Good

The film breaks Anglo-centric stereotypes by featuring a Latino con artist as the main character. This places a person of color at the center of a high-stakes conflict with significant influence.

How does The Pest represent religion and culture?

Fair

The plot criticizes unchecked capitalism through an antagonist who views human life as a commodity. However, it adheres to a typical action-comedy format.

Does The Pest include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or invisible disabilities shown in the narrative. No character details indicate the inclusion of disabled individuals.

Present on Screen

Placing a Latino con artist as the main character disrupts traditional Anglo-centric protagonist stereotypes.
The protagonist plays a significant role in driving the story, playing a key role in driving the plot.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks LGBTQ+ representation and does not address non-cisgender identities.
The story relies on a conventional masculine-driven conflict with little evidence of women's ability to drive the story.
The film lacks multi-layered complexity and deeper thematic deconstruction of social institutions.

Official Synopsis

Fast-talking Latino con artist Pestario "Pest" Vargas is the target of Scottish mobsters to whom he owes a considerable debt. Willing to do anything to raise money and avoid severe injury or death, Vargas agrees to a very unusual job -- he will be transported to a remote island and hunted by Gustav Shank, a racist German executive. If he can survive a full day and night, Vargas gets $50,000 and will be set free. Is he wily enough to elude Shank?

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