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Dying to be a Cheerleader

Name: Dying to be a Cheerleader
Director: Tom Shell
Released: 2020
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

2.1/10

Limited

2020

TV-14

Director

Tom Shell

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Dying to be a Cheerleader functions as a conventional genre thriller that prioritizes high school social hierarchies over progressive themes. While the film centers on female-driven conflict, it largely adheres to traditional storytelling clichés. The narrative lacks depth in addressing various forms of diversity and systemic issues.

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Category Breakdown

Does Dying to be a Cheerleader have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on interpersonal rivalry and social hierarchy within a high school. It does not include characters with non-traditional gender identities or stories that challenge the idea that everyone is straight.

How does Dying to be a Cheerleader portray gender?

Fair

While the thriller centers on female-driven conflict, it relies on established gendered social hierarchies. The 'popular girl' versus 'new girl' dynamic reinforces conventional feminine competition.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Dying to be a Cheerleader?

Minimal

The narrative provides no specific information regarding the racial composition of the cast. There is no mention of non-Anglo-Saxon characters or diverse ethnic backgrounds.

How does Dying to be a Cheerleader represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story operates within a standard Western adolescent framework. It prioritizes individualistic social dynamics over critiques of systemic institutions like religion or traditional family structures.

Does Dying to be a Cheerleader include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The narrative does not appear to use disability as a storytelling device.

Present on Screen

The film disrupts male-centric thriller clichés by centering its conflict on female-driven dynamics.

Limited or Absent

The narrative relies on conventional social hierarchies and archetypes rather than subverting gendered power structures.
The film lacks multi-layered depth and fails to address systemic institutions or diverse identities.
There is a lack of visible representation regarding race, disability, or LGBTQ+ identities.

Official Synopsis

When the new girl in town tries out for her high school's cheerleading team, she unwittingly humiliates the most popular girl in school, leading to deadly consequences.

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