You are here:

Abominable

Name: Abominable
Director: Jill Culton
Released: 2019
Duration: 97 min

Representation Score

6.5/10

Good

2019

Director

Jill Culton

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Abominable centers a non-Western perspective, moving away from the Anglo-Saxon settings common in major studio animation. By placing the story in Shanghai and featuring a Chinese protagonist, the film offers authentic cultural specificity and challenges Western dominance. The film also empowers its female lead, Yi, whose technical skills and resilience drive the adventure. This disrupts traditional gender roles, as the emotional weight and decision-making rest firmly with her. However, the film lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and does not include characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities. While it touches on emotional health through the lens of grief, it remains within conventional genre boundaries.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Abominable have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-straight relationships. Emotional arcs revolve around family bonds and friendships.

How does Abominable portray gender?

Good

Yi, a young female character, leads the story with her proactive actions and musical talent. Male characters support her journey, emphasizing her ability to act and decision-making.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Abominable?

Excellent

Set in modern-day Shanghai, the film features a Chinese protagonist navigating a Chinese environment. This challenges Western-centric norms in animated storytelling.

How does Abominable represent religion and culture?

Good

The story critiques exploitative capitalism and explores grief and legacy through personal experiences, avoiding rigid traditional moral frameworks.

Does Abominable include disability representation?

Fair

The narrative examines the psychological impact of losing a parent, focusing on emotional health within typical cinematic themes.

Present on Screen

Strong racial and ethnic representation through a Chinese protagonist and setting.
An empowered female lead who drives the narrative through her proactive actions and skills.
A meaningful critique of commercial exploitation and environmental stewardship.

Limited or Absent

Lack of LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight narratives.
Absence of characters representing physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
Emotional health themes remain within standard, predictable cinematic clichés.

Official Synopsis

A group of misfits encounter a young Yeti named Everest, and they set off to reunite the magical creature with his family on the mountain of his namesake.

How are these scores produced? →