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The Last Thing He Wanted

Name: The Last Thing He Wanted
Director: Dee Rees
Released: 2020
Duration: 116 min

Representation Score

8.3/10

Excellent

2020

Director

Dee Rees

Runtime

116 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film excels as a sophisticated political thriller that uses genre to critique institutional corruption. Its main strength is subverting traditional gender roles by focusing on a highly capable female lead in a male-dominated era. However, the film lacks depth in specific identity-based representation. The absence of meaningful disability depictions and the lack of central LGBTQ+ arcs prevent a higher diversity score. Overall, the work achieves a progressive feel through its critical view of Western power structures and its commitment to a more layered, diverse social landscape.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Last Thing He Wanted have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film avoids negative stereotypes but does not have main storylines centered around LGBTQ+ characters. Representation exists but fits within typical thriller conventions without challenging straight relationships.

How does The Last Thing He Wanted portray gender?

Good

Elena McMahon is a strong female lead who drives the investigation with her intellect and professionalism. She overcomes common 'damsel in distress' clichés in political espionage.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Last Thing He Wanted?

Good

Diverse casting is used to show a varied cast rather than a uniform group, creating a richer, non-Anglo-centric view of the 1980s political scene.

How does The Last Thing He Wanted represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques Western institutions by showing the corruption and secrecy of state power. Intelligence agencies are portrayed as prioritizing hidden agendas over openness.

Does The Last Thing He Wanted include disability representation?

Limited

There is no significant or meaningful depiction of neurodivergence or physical disabilities. The story does not use disability as a central theme or tool for character development.

Present on Screen

Features a strong female protagonist with significant professional autonomy.
Challenges traditional gender roles and 'damsel in distress' clichés.
Uses diverse casting to create a non-Anglo-centric period setting.
Provides a sharp critique of systemic corruption and institutional power.

Limited or Absent

Lacks central LGBTQ+ character arcs.
No meaningful representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
Limited exploration of non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identity within the main plot.

Official Synopsis

At the turning point of the Iran-Contra affair, Elena McMahon, a fearless investigative journalist covering the 1984 US presidential campaign, puts herself in danger when she abandons her assigned task in order to fulfill the last wish of her ailing father, a mysterious man whose past activities she barely knows.

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