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Dead Fishes

Name: Dead Fishes
Director: Tomoaki Kaneko
Released: 2022
Duration: 114 min

Representation Score

5.5/10

Fair

2022

Director

Tomoaki Kaneko

Runtime

114 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Dead Fishes is a crime drama that stands out by subverting traditional power structures. By placing a female character at the center of a criminal conspiracy, the film avoids the stereotype of passive female characters in workplace narratives. It uses the corruption of insurance and professional systems to critique the stability of adult institutions. However, the film remains demographically narrow. Set in Tokyo with a Japanese cast, it focuses on a localized experience without exploring broader racial or ethnic diversity. The interpersonal dynamics between the leads remain undefined, leaving the depth of their connection unclear. Ultimately, the film is a study of systemic skepticism. It pits the idealism of youth against a backdrop of institutional corruption, though it lacks specific representation for LGBTQ+ identities or disability.

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Category Breakdown

Does Dead Fishes have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on the evolving relationship between Shun and Yuka but does not specify their gender identities or the nature of their intimacy.

How does Dead Fishes portray gender?

Fair

Yuriko plays a key role in driving the plot through her involvement in fraud and murder, which challenges the stereotype of passive female characters in workplace dramas.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Dead Fishes?

Fair

Set in Tokyo with a Japanese cast, the film maintains a homogeneous demographic and focuses on a localized Japanese experience without exploring broader racial or ethnic diversity.

How does Dead Fishes represent religion and culture?

Good

The story critiques established societal institutions by presenting the adult world as morally corrupt. It contrasts youthful optimism against systemic corruption and professional betrayal.

Does Dead Fishes include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative does not provide any indication of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional workplace hierarchies by giving female characters significant narrative ability to act and central roles in the conflict.
Provides a compelling critique of institutional stability by framing professional authority as a source of corruption.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation or exploration of LGBTQ+ identities and non-straight relationships.
Maintains a homogeneous demographic that does not explore broader racial or ethnic diversity within its Tokyo setting.

Official Synopsis

Shun Miyata's new life in Tokyo takes a dark turn when he and coworker Yuka discover their boss Yuriko is involved in insurance fraud and murder. As they grapple with the betrayal, their bond deepens, contrasting youthful hope against a backdrop of adult corruption.

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