You are here:
Cleanskin

Cleanskin

2012

R

Runtime

108 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

While working undercover as a bodyguard to arms dealer Harry, former-soldier-turned-secret-service-agent Ewan survives a bloody shootout with a member of an Islamic terrorist cell who steals Harry's briefcase full of Semtex explosives and escapes. Ewan's spymasters task Ewan with hunting down the cell members and retrieving the briefcase.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

3.1/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film lacks any discernible presence of LGBTQ+ characters. The narrative remains strictly tethered to masculine-coded spheres of espionage and crime.

Gender Representation

Limited

The story centers almost exclusively on male-driven conflict and brotherhood. A lack of significant female agency prevents any meaningful subversion of gendered power structures.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The cast reflects a multicultural Sydney, avoiding a monolithic Anglo-centric perspective. However, the Islamic terrorist cell is used primarily as a driver of conflict.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Fair

The film explores moral relativism and the blurred lines between protectors and predators. It focuses on individual survival rather than explicit systemic critique.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no significant evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The narrative does not engage with disability as a central thematic element.

Strengths

  • The cast reflects the multicultural reality of a contemporary Sydney.
  • The film avoids a monolithic, Anglo-centric perspective through its diverse characterizations.

Areas for Improvement

  • The narrative lacks significant female agency and meaningful gender subversion.
  • There is a complete absence of LGBTQ+ perspectives or non-heteronormative identities.
  • The film fails to engage with the complexities of disability or neurodivergence.

AI Analysis

Cleanskin is a traditional, genre-focused crime thriller that prioritizes the mechanics of suspense over social exploration. While it captures the multicultural texture of an urban setting, it remains deeply conventional in its character archetypes. The film relies heavily on masculine-coded tropes, focusing on physical prowess and stoic survivalism. This approach reinforces traditional gender hierarchies rather than challenging them. While racial diversity is present through a realistic urban tapestry, the narrative lacks depth in its treatment of intersectional identities, often using diverse groups as mere plot devices for geopolitical tension.

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.