You are here:
Above Suspicion

Above Suspicion

2011

Director

Benoît d'Aubert

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Valérie, a youthful 40, is an active, exemplary woman. A psychiatrist by trade, she is also a perfect mother, wife, and parishioner. And yet, Valérie is also a murderer.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

2.0/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film focuses on the protagonist's dual identity as a professional and a murderer. There is no evidence of non-cisnormative identities or narratives critiquing heteronormativity.

Gender Representation

Fair

The narrative subverts traditional feminine archetypes by casting a woman with extreme violent agency. Valérie's ability to navigate high-status professional and domestic spheres challenges conventional expectations of female passivity.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Minimal

The narrative appears to focus on a specific social stratum without mention of diverse casting. There is no integration of non-Anglo-Saxon identities present.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Fair

The film critiques traditional Western institutions by framing a perfect parishioner as a murderer. This suggests a disconnect between outward religious adherence and internal morality.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no evidence of neurodivergence, physical disability, or mental health conditions being utilized as central character drivers or through inclusive casting.

Strengths

  • Subverts traditional feminine archetypes by granting the female protagonist high levels of agency and dark motivations.
  • Critiques the performative nature of traditional social and religious roles through its central character.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks intersectional dimensions, failing to include diverse racial, ethnic, or LGBTQ+ identities.
  • Provides no representation of disability or neurodivergence within the narrative framework.

AI Analysis

Above Suspicion is a narrow psychological thriller that prioritizes a character study over broad intersectional exploration. Its primary impact comes from deconstructing the 'ideal' woman through a protagonist who balances domestic perfection with violent transgression. While the film offers a moderate subversion of gendered expectations, it lacks significant representation across other identity markers. The narrative remains centered on a specific social stratum, offering little in the way of racial or LGBTQ+ diversity. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its critique of performative virtue within traditional religious and familial structures, even if it fails to engage with a wider spectrum of human experience.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.