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The Tenderness

Name: The Tenderness
Director: Vicente Villanueva
Released: 2023
Duration: 105 min

Representation Score

4.5/10

Fair

2023

Director

Vicente Villanueva

Runtime

105 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film stands out by challenging traditional fantasy clichés, particularly through its strong gender dynamics. By focusing on a matriarchal struggle against male-dominated structures, it offers a fresh take on the genre. However, the narrative's diversity is unevenly represented. While the gendered power dynamics are well-developed, there is no verified information about racial, ethnic, or disability representation. Ultimately, the work critiques patriarchy but limits its impact by lacking visibility for other underrepresented identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Tenderness have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not show any same-sex relationships or characters with non-cisgender identities. Although the story has themes that align with queer theory, there are no direct on-screen examples of LGBTQ+ characters.

How does The Tenderness portray gender?

Excellent

Queen Esmeralda is a strong female character who actively resists male influence to protect her daughters. This challenges traditional gender roles and avoids the typical damsel in distress cliché.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Tenderness?

Minimal

There is no information available about the racial or ethnic makeup of the cast. Therefore, we cannot verify the diversity of the characters' backgrounds.

How does The Tenderness represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story criticizes patriarchal family structures and Western institutional norms. It portrays the Queen's rebellion as a necessary response to systemic limitations and established social hierarchies.

Does The Tenderness include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no indication in the narrative that includes characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Strong female leadership through Queen Esmeralda's resistance to male-dominated structures.
Challenges traditional fantasy clichés and the 'damsel in distress' cliché.
Thoughtful critique of patriarchal social hierarchies and systemic limitations.

Limited or Absent

No direct representation of LGBTQ+ characters or identities.
No information about racial, ethnic, or disability diversity.
Limited visibility for characters outside the central gender-focused conflict.

Official Synopsis

Queen Esmeralda hates men because they have always limited her freedom, so she does not want her two daughters to suffer the same fate. Therefore, when the ship in which they are traveling passes near an apparently deserted island, she invokes a portentous storm.

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