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Higher Power

Higher Power

2018

R

Director

Matthew Charles Santoro

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

When the Universe decides what it wants, it's pointless to resist. With his family's life at stake, Joseph Steadman finds himself the unwilling test subject of a maniacal scientist in a battle that could save the world – or destroy it.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

3.6/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Limited

The film lacks explicit LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. The focus on Joseph Steadman and his family suggests a traditional familial structure without non-cisnormative identities.

Gender Representation

Fair

The story centers on a male protagonist's agency in a hero's journey. While female cast members are present, the plot follows standard masculine tropes.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The cast includes diverse actors like Jade Tailor and Winston James Francis. However, racial identity is not a central driver of the narrative's plot.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The film adheres to Western thriller tropes and heroic morality. It lacks any significant deconstruction of Western institutions or cultural relativism.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with disabilities portrayed with agency. The 'test subject' keyword appears to be a sci-fi trope rather than a disability study.

Strengths

  • The cast features a diverse range of actors, including Jade Tailor and Winston James Francis.
  • The film utilizes a broad ensemble to support its science fiction framework.

Areas for Improvement

  • The narrative relies on traditional male-driven hero archetypes rather than subverting gender hierarchies.
  • The plot lacks meaningful exploration of intersectional identities or non-traditional familial structures.
  • The story follows standard Western tropes without offering deeper cultural or institutional critiques.

AI Analysis

Higher Power operates as a conventional science fiction thriller that relies heavily on established genre archetypes. The narrative structure prioritizes a traditional hero's journey, centering on male agency and a standard familial unit to drive the stakes of the plot. While the casting shows some effort toward ethnic diversity through actors like Jade Tailor, these identities do not appear to function as thematic pillars. The film follows a predictable 'man against the system' trajectory rather than challenging social hierarchies. Ultimately, the production lacks the intentionality needed to subvert systemic norms. It functions as a standard genre piece that favors traditionalist morality over progressive or intersectional storytelling.

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