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By Day's End

Name: By Day's End
Director: Michael Souder
Released: 2020
Duration: 74 min

Representation Score

4.4/10

Fair

2020

Director

Michael Souder

Runtime

74 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

By Day's End successfully challenges horror movie conventions by placing a lesbian relationship at the center of the plot. Instead of focusing solely on external dangers, the film delves into the internal struggles of a failing partnership during a global crisis. The film's strength lies in its intentional approach, using a high-concept setting to explore intimate, character-driven stakes. This elevates the narrative from a typical survival story to a nuanced look at queer intimacy and emotional vulnerability. However, the lack of information about racial and disability representation hinders a complete assessment of the film's inclusivity. The focus remains heavily centered on the central romantic dynamic.

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Category Breakdown

Does By Day's End have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film focuses on a lesbian couple, making their relationship the emotional heart of the story. This approach highlights the importance of queer domestic life rather than treating it as a minor subplot.

How does By Day's End portray gender?

Good

The story shifts away from typical masculine survival instincts towards the emotional work of maintaining a relationship. It emphasizes interpersonal connections and emotional intelligence over traditional physical dominance.

How racially and ethnically diverse is By Day's End?

Minimal

There is insufficient information available to determine the racial or ethnic composition of the cast.

How does By Day's End represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative uses a global pandemic to explore the fragility of social structures. It looks at the tension between personal bonds and the collapse of institutional order.

Does By Day's End include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence regarding the presence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Centers a lesbian relationship as the primary emotional and narrative driver.
Challenges horror clichés by prioritizing emotional intelligence over masculine-coded survivalism.
Integrates queer identity into the core of the apocalyptic setting.

Limited or Absent

Lack of clarity regarding racial and ethnic diversity within the cast.
Insufficient information to assess the representation of characters with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A lesbian couple's efforts to mend their deteriorating relationship are put on hold when a pandemic disease that causes insatiable hunger ravages the world around them.

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