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Assholes

Name: Assholes
Director: Peter Vack
Released: 2017
Duration: 74 min

Representation Score

7.3/10

Good

2017

Director

Peter Vack

Runtime

74 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Assholes provides a gritty, character-driven exploration of addiction and unconventional romance. It deconstructs traditional relationship models, opting for moral complexity over sanitized, idealized depictions of love and stability. While the film touches on queer-coded social markers and mental health themes, it lacks explicit, high-visibility representation in terms of racial diversity and clear identity politics. The focus remains on the protagonists' internal struggles and social friction. Ultimately, the film serves as a progressive examination of human dysfunction. It challenges social norms by framing anti-social behavior as a form of raw expression, even if it relies on certain clichés to drive its dramatic tension.

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Category Breakdown

Does Assholes have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film highlights non-straight-centered social spaces through the use of substances like poppers. These details suggest an awareness of queer-coded environments, even though the central romance is the main focus.

How does Assholes portray gender?

Fair

The narrative challenges traditional romantic roles by focusing on flawed, recovering individuals. It avoids idealized archetypes, presenting a chaotic yet equal depiction of relationships.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Assholes?

Fair

Set in New York City, the film benefits from a naturally diverse setting. However, there is no specific indication of a non-white majority cast or intentional race-bent casting.

How does Assholes represent religion and culture?

Good

The story embraces moral relativism by focusing on addiction and social dysfunction. It prioritizes personal expression over traditional Western moral frameworks and social stability.

Does Assholes include disability representation?

Fair

Mental health and neurodivergence are explored through the lens of addiction and psychoanalysis. The narrative risks using these conditions primarily as catalysts for plot volatility and dramatic tension.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional romantic archetypes by portraying flawed, realistic protagonists.
Embraces moral relativism and complex social dynamics over singular morality.
Uses specific cultural markers to acknowledge non-straight-centered social spheres.

Limited or Absent

Lacks verifiable evidence of diverse racial or ethnic casting within the ensemble.
Risks using mental health struggles primarily as tools for plot volatility.
Provides contextual queer markers rather than explicit, identity-focused representation.

Official Synopsis

Adah and Aaron are recovering addicts who are struggling to stay sober. After meeting in their psychoanalyst’s waiting room, they fall in love, relapse on poppers, and become the biggest assholes in New York City.

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