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Darkness Rising

Name: Darkness Rising
Director: Austin Reading
Released: 2017
Duration: 81 min

Representation Score

3.0/10

Limited

2017

Unrated

Director

Austin Reading

Runtime

81 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Darkness Rising is a character-driven psychological horror that focuses on personal trauma rather than broader social issues. The film's strength lies in its subversion of the nurturing mother cliché, presenting the maternal figure as a source of terror. However, the narrative lacks engagement with diverse identities, including LGBTQ+ and various racial or ethnic groups. The focus is narrow, centered on domestic psychological tension without addressing broader identity-based or social themes. Due to the lack of specified cast and setting details, the film fails to provide meaningful representation of race, ethnicity, or LGBTQ+ identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does Darkness Rising have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any non-binary or LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships. The story focuses solely on a mother-daughter relationship.

How does Darkness Rising portray gender?

Fair

The story centers around a woman's experience and the trauma she faces from her mother. It is unclear whether the film challenges traditional gender roles or upholds them.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Darkness Rising?

Minimal

There is no information regarding the racial or ethnic composition of the cast or the setting. Consequently, no assessment of racial diversity can be made.

How does Darkness Rising represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film portrays the nuclear family as a source of violence rather than a sanctuary. It does not explore broader societal critiques such as anti-institutional or anti-capitalist themes.

Does Darkness Rising include disability representation?

Limited

The film introduces themes of mental health through a character who becomes insane. However, it is unclear if this portrayal adds nuance or relies on the 'madwoman' cliché.

Present on Screen

Challenges the traditional 'nurturing mother' archetype by depicting the maternal figure as a source of psychological horror.
Focuses on a woman's experience and survival through familial trauma.

Limited or Absent

Needs to engage more with diverse identities, including LGBTQ+ and various racial or ethnic groups.
Risk of relying on the 'madwoman' cliché rather than offering a nuanced portrayal of mental health or neurodivergence.

Official Synopsis

Nearly murdered as a child by her mother, a woman (Katrina Law) returns to the house where her mom went mad.

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