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The Crusades

The Crusades

2023

R

Director

Leo Milano

Runtime

101 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

On the edge of revolutionary change at their all boys private high school, three friends set out to have one last great weekend while dodging authority, love affairs and violent foes in the longest weekend of their lives.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

4.6/10

Fair


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Limited

The story centers on a trio of male protagonists in an all-boys Catholic school. While love affairs are mentioned, there is no explicit evidence of queer identities or non-heteronormative character arcs.

Gender Representation

Fair

The film focuses heavily on male adolescence and peer dynamics. Female characters like Ryan serve primarily as plot catalysts rather than independent agents with their own narrative arcs.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The cast shows racial integration with actors like Khalil Everage and Ashley Nicole Williams. The setting suggests a diverse friend group, though the narrative depth of these roles remains unclear.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The film critiques traditional Western institutions by depicting protagonists as delinquents resisting a rigid Catholic school system. It prioritizes individualistic autonomy over traditional religious or educational stability.

Disability Representation

Limited

A deaf student is mentioned as a catalyst for a fight at a rival school. This character functions as a plot device rather than a nuanced portrayal of disability.

Strengths

  • Features a racially integrated cast including Khalil Everage and Ashley Nicole Williams.
  • Offers a subversive critique of traditional religious and educational institutions.
  • Depicts a diverse teenage friend group within a school merger setting.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks explicit LGBTQ+ visibility or non-heteronormative character development.
  • Uses disability as a plot device rather than providing nuanced representation.
  • Female characters lack independent agency and serve mostly as narrative catalysts.

AI Analysis

The film operates as a character-driven study of adolescent rebellion. It finds its footing by subverting the idealized stability of religious and educational institutions, presenting a more chaotic view of social order. However, the narrative lacks depth in its treatment of marginalized identities. LGBTQ+ visibility is absent, and disability is utilized as a functional pivot for conflict rather than meaningful representation. While the casting shows moderate racial integration, the film remains largely anchored in male-centric social structures and traditional teenage tropes.

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