You are here:

Super Dark Times

Super Dark Times

Representation Score

3.7/10

Limited

2017

Not Rated

Director

Kevin Phillips

Runtime

103 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Super Dark Times is a focused character study that prioritizes the psychological disintegration of its protagonists over broad social commentary. It succeeds in deconstructing the concept of innocence through a lens of moral relativism and survivalist paranoia. However, the film operates within a very narrow demographic scope. The narrative is confined to a homogeneous suburban setting, which limits the exploration of diverse identities and perspectives. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its gritty, psychological depth, but its lack of representation across most identity categories results in a localized and traditional social scope.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Super Dark Times have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not engage with LGBTQ+ narratives or non-binary gender identities. The character dynamics focus solely on male bonding, without any explicit or implicit LGBTQ+ themes.

How does Super Dark Times portray gender?

Limited

The story centers on the volatility of adolescent masculinity. While it avoids traditional male leadership clichés by showing emotionally fractured male protagonists, it lacks strong female roles to challenge gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Super Dark Times?

Limited

The setting is a homogeneous, predominantly white, middle-class suburban environment. The narrative does not utilize diverse casting or perspectives to broaden its social scope.

How does Super Dark Times represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film excels by rejecting moral absolutism in favor of moral relativism. It explores situational ethics and psychological trauma rather than traditional notions of accountability or redemption.

Does Super Dark Times include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no intentional portrayal of visible or invisible disabilities. Psychological distress is treated as a result of trauma rather than a nuanced exploration of neurodivergence.

Present on Screen

  • Challenges the cliché of the redemptive hero through a lens of moral relativism.
  • Offers a sophisticated portrayal of psychological decay and situational ethics.
  • Avoids traditional masculinity clichés by depicting male protagonists as emotionally fractured.

Limited or Absent

  • Does not engage with LGBTQ+ identities or narratives.
  • Provides minimal female roles to challenge existing gender hierarchies.
  • Fails to incorporate diverse racial or ethnic perspectives within its setting.

Official Synopsis

Teenagers Zach and Josh have been best friends their whole lives, but when a gruesome accident leads to a cover-up, the secret drives a wedge between them and propels them down a rabbit hole of escalating paranoia and violence.

How are these scores produced? →

Where to Watch

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.