You are here:

The Old Ways

Name: The Old Ways
Director: Christopher Alender
Released: 2021
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

3.8/10

Limited

2021

Director

Christopher Alender

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Old Ways centers a non-Western perspective by embedding its horror in the cultural landscape of Veracruz. By focusing on a Mexican journalist as the protagonist, the film avoids the typical Western-centric lens often found in the genre. While the film excels in racial and cultural representation, it falls short in other areas. The absence of visible LGBTQ+ characters and unknown disability representation limits its overall score. The film prioritizes women's ability to drive the story and ancestral heritage but lacks depth in broader social identity categories.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Old Ways have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any visible LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. There is no exploration of non-straight relationships or identities.

How does The Old Ways portray gender?

Fair

Cristina, a female journalist, is the main character with professional influence. However, the film's depiction of gender dynamics is unclear due to limited interactions between characters.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Old Ways?

Excellent

The story focuses on a Mexican protagonist in her ancestral home in Veracruz. This approach moves away from Western-centric views by emphasizing a non-Anglo-Saxon setting.

How does The Old Ways represent religion and culture?

Good

The film explores indigenous sorcery and ancestral healing practices. It challenges Western moral views by presenting local beliefs through folklore and superstition.

Does The Old Ways include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not provide any information about the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. The narrative does not address these specific representation needs.

Present on Screen

Strong racial ability to act through a Mexican protagonist.
Authentic use of a non-Western, Veracruz-based setting.
Exploration of indigenous sorcery and ancestral healing themes.

Limited or Absent

Lack of visible LGBTQ+ representation or queer narratives.
Insufficient detail regarding gender dynamics.
No evidence of disability representation within the narrative.

Official Synopsis

Cristina, a journalist of Mexican origin, travels to her ancestral home in Veracruz to investigate a story of sorcery and healing. There, she is kidnapped by a group of locals who claim she's the devil incarnated.

How are these scores produced? →