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The Immortal

Name: The Immortal
Director: Victor Vũ
Released: 2018
Duration: 132 min

Representation Score

4.3/10

Fair

2018

Director

Victor Vũ

Runtime

132 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Immortal succeeds as a culturally specific piece of cinema that disrupts Western narrative dominance. By centering Southeast Asian spiritualism and the historical context of French Indochina, the film provides a significant role in driving the story to local characters and a non-Western perspective. However, the film remains tied to traditional genre structures. The romantic elements follow straight-centered reincarnation cycles, and the gender dynamics rely on established clichés rather than challenging them. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its ethnic authenticity and its ability to weave a complex, multi-century historical tapestry that favors a cyclical, subjective morality.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Immortal have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on a romantic bond between a male and female protagonist who are reincarnated. There are no queer narratives or non-cisgender identities present.

How does The Immortal portray gender?

Fair

The female lead drives the plot through her reincarnations, but the story relies on traditional romantic clichés. The narrative follows conventional masculine archetypes defined by ambition and magical powers.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Immortal?

Excellent

The film features a predominantly Vietnamese cast set in 1930s French Indochina. It centers a non-Western worldview through local folklore and spiritual concepts.

How does The Immortal represent religion and culture?

Good

The setting critiques Western institutional power during the colonial era. The narrative prioritizes spiritualism and reincarnation over Western moral frameworks.

Does The Immortal include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no prominent depictions of visible or invisible disabilities that serve as central character traits or drive the narrative.

Present on Screen

Strong ethnic specificity through a predominantly Vietnamese cast.
Effective use of local folklore and Southeast Asian spiritualism.
A non-Western worldview that challenges traditional colonial storytelling.

Limited or Absent

Reliance on traditional, straight-centered romantic structures.
Lack of diversity regarding LGBTQ+ identities and queer narratives.
Adherence to conventional gender roles and romantic hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

Haunting dreams and visions lead An to a mysterious cave where she discovers the terrifying secrets of Hung — a man who lived across three centuries. Hung’s tumultuous life reveals a story filled with ambition, vengeance and dark magic.

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