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A Record of Sweet Murder

A Record of Sweet Murder

Representation Score

4.8/10

Fair

2014

Director

Koji Shiraishi

Runtime

86 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

A Record of Sweet Murder stands out as a transnational thriller, leveraging its South Korean-Japanese co-production to provide a broad perspective. By incorporating diverse cast members and settings, the film transcends narrow storytelling. However, it falls short in terms of social diversity, lacking LGBTQ+ representation and relying on mental illness as a central plot device. The film's strength lies in its disruption of nationalistic boundaries and its placement of a female professional in a central investigative role.

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Category Breakdown

Does A Record of Sweet Murder have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or narratives that address non-cisgender identities.

How does A Record of Sweet Murder portray gender?

Fair

Kim So-yeon plays a key role as the main investigator, but her portrayal includes elements that align with traditional horror clichés, such as a damsel in distress.

How racially and ethnically diverse is A Record of Sweet Murder?

Good

The film showcases international collaboration with actors and crew from both South Korea and Japan, moving the story beyond a single-country perspective.

How does A Record of Sweet Murder represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story examines the concept of sanity by focusing on a character who escaped from a mental institution, suggesting a critique of societal structures that influence individual behavior.

Does A Record of Sweet Murder include disability representation?

Fair

The film features a protagonist with a history of mental health issues who drives the plot. While this adds psychological depth, it also risks using neurodivergence as a tool for creating fear.

Present on Screen

  • International collaboration between South Korean and Japanese cast and crew.
  • A female lead who serves as the primary investigator and thinker.
  • A narrative that questions traditional ideas of institutional authority.

Limited or Absent

  • Absence of LGBTQ+ representation or non-cisgender identities.
  • Potential reliance on mental illness as a device for horror.
  • The female protagonist's placement in situations of extreme physical danger.

Official Synopsis

A murderer in the middle of a killing spree enlists a reporter to interview him as he prepares to finish sacrificing his victims to his god.

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