You are here:

After the Storm

Name: After the Storm
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Released: 2016
Duration: 117 min

Representation Score

6.9/10

Good

2016

Not Rated

Director

Hirokazu Kore-eda

Runtime

117 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s drama effectively dismantles the traditional family unit by rejecting the cliché of the heroic, stable father figure. By focusing on a protagonist who struggles with societal expectations of masculinity, the film provides a nuanced view of domestic breakdown. However, the film remains confined to a culturally homogenous Japanese context and lacks representation for LGBTQ+ individuals or diverse ethnic backgrounds. This limits its demographic range despite its emotional depth. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its moral complexity. It opts for a realistic, subjective portrayal of human connection and personal failure over idealized social structures.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does After the Storm have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-straight relationships. It focuses solely on the dynamics of a troubled, traditional family unit.

How does After the Storm portray gender?

Good

The film challenges traditional gender roles by presenting an emotionally unstable male protagonist. Female characters provide the story's emotional foundation and practical guidance.

How racially and ethnically diverse is After the Storm?

Fair

The film is set in a culturally uniform Japanese environment. While it avoids overly romanticized portrayals of tradition, it lacks the broad cultural diversity seen in more international stories.

How does After the Storm represent religion and culture?

Good

The story critiques strict family structures by showing the breakdown of the nuclear family through a lens of moral ambiguity. It explores the tension between personal identity and capitalist society.

Does After the Storm include disability representation?

Fair

The film does not prominently feature any physical or cognitive disabilities. Instead, it focuses on psychological themes such as regret and instability.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional masculine archetypes by depicting a flawed, unstable male protagonist.
Features strong female characters who provide emotional stability and practical guidance.
Critiques the rigid, idealized nuclear family structure.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight perspectives.
Maintains a culturally homogeneous setting with limited ethnic or racial diversity.
Does not utilize disability as a means for character development or narrative depth.

Official Synopsis

Ryota is an unpopular writer although he won a literary award 15 years ago. Now, Ryota works as a private detective. He is divorced from his ex-wife Kyoko and he has an 11-year-old son Shingo. His mother Yoshiko lives alone at her apartment. One day, Ryota, his ex-wife Kyoko, and son Shingo gather at Yoshiko's apartment. A typhoon passes and the family must stay there all night long.

How are these scores produced? →