You are here:

The Krays

Name: The Krays
Director: Peter Medak
Released: 1990
Duration: 119 min

Representation Score

3.5/10

Limited

1990

Director

Peter Medak

Runtime

119 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film excels in its sophisticated handling of queer identity, using Ronnie Kray's non-straight nature to challenge the social constraints of the era. This adds a nuanced layer to the crime genre's typical archetypes. However, the film remains deeply rooted in traditional hierarchies. The cast is almost exclusively white, reflecting a specific historical period but lacking diversity. Women are largely sidelined by the brothers' criminal dominance. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its critical view of authority and capitalism. By deconstructing these institutions and presenting a complex shadow economy, it moves beyond simple morality, even while maintaining a narrow demographic focus.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Krays have LGBTQ+ representation?

Good

Ronnie Kray's non-straight identity is crucial to his psychological instability. This portrayal challenges traditional masculine roles and uses queer themes to create internal tension.

How does The Krays portray gender?

Limited

Female characters mainly play supporting roles as wives and girlfriends. They have emotional depth but often react to the brothers' actions rather than driving the plot themselves.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Krays?

Minimal

The film features an overwhelmingly white cast reflecting the 1950s and 60s East End. There are no intentional efforts to include diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds.

How does The Krays represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film sharply criticizes Western institutions, showing police and state authority as corrupt. It portrays the criminal empire as a complex form of social ability to act.

Does The Krays include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no prominent depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities used as central plot devices or character traits.

Present on Screen

Centers a non-straight character to drive psychological tension and plot instability.
Provides a sophisticated critique of state and capitalist institutions through systemic corruption.
Offers a nuanced portrayal of social ability to act within a violent, non-traditional economic framework.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity within the urban setting.
Reinforces patriarchal structures through limited women's ability to drive the story.
Has minimal representation of neurodivergent or physical disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Twins Ronnie and Reggie Kray are raised in east London, under the influence of their hateful but doting mother Violet. As they grow up, Ronnie's violent nature takes over, and Reggie follows his brother's lead. The two become notorious crime lords who rule over the East End club scene. But at the height of their power, the brothers veer into different lives, giving the older crime bosses a chance to reclaim what the Krays took from them.

How are these scores produced? →