You are here:

Philadelphia Experiment II

Name: Philadelphia Experiment II
Director: Stephen Cornwell
Released: 1993
Duration: 97 min

Representation Score

4.9/10

Fair

1993

PG-13

Director

Stephen Cornwell

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Philadelphia Experiment II presents a dystopian alternate history where a Nazi regime has conquered the United States. The film effectively uses this speculative framework to critique the fragility of Western democratic institutions and nationalistic structures. However, the narrative lacks depth in representing diverse identities. The focus remains on a traditional family unit and a Eurocentric geopolitical conflict, limiting the portrayal of varied racial, gender, and sexual identities. While the thematic subversion of political orders is strong, the absence of visible representation across gender, race, and orientation results in a moderate overall assessment.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Philadelphia Experiment II have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The story focuses on the romantic relationship between David Herdeg and Allison, but there is no indication of LGBTQ+ character development or non-straight relationships.

How does Philadelphia Experiment II portray gender?

Fair

The film centers around a family unit with a husband, wife, and child. Although the survivalist scenario might challenge traditional gender roles, there is no clear evidence of women taking active roles in the resistance.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Philadelphia Experiment II?

Limited

The movie sets its story in an alternate history where a Nazi regime has taken over the United States. It seems to maintain a Eurocentric perspective without showing any non-white characters.

How does Philadelphia Experiment II represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film delves into themes that question Western institutions. By depicting the United States as a conquered land, it critiques the stability of democracy and traditional national identity.

Does Philadelphia Experiment II include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters in the story who have visible or hidden disabilities.

Present on Screen

Strong thematic engagement with the deconstruction of established geopolitical hierarchies.
Effective use of a dystopian framework to critique the permanence of Western democracy.

Limited or Absent

Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight character arcs.
Limited racial and ethnic diversity within the speculative historical setting.
Insufficient evidence of diverse women's ability to drive the story or non-traditional gender roles.

Official Synopsis

It is several years after the events of the first movie, and David Herdeg (the survivor of the Philadelphia Experiment from the first film) and Allison (the woman from 1984 he fell in love with) have married and have a child. David awakes, in agony, to a changed world. Germany won World War II and the United States is now about to mark 50 years as a Nazi conquest.

How are these scores produced? →