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Useless

Name: Useless
Director: Josiah Burdick
Released: 2020
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

3.4/10

Limited

2020

Director

Josiah Burdick

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Useless is a conventional drama that focuses on personal resilience rather than critiquing broader societal issues. While it centers on a female lead navigating grief and professional goals, the narrative stays within traditional rural clichés. The film lacks complexity in reflecting multiple aspects of identity, presenting a story that adheres to standard genre expectations. The emphasis on rodeo culture and a traditional romantic dynamic indicates a lack of diverse perspectives or challenges to established social hierarchies.

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Category Breakdown

Does Useless have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include explicit LGBTQ+ characters or narratives that question the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender. The main romance follows a typical path with a male bull rider, indicating a conventional storyline.

How does Useless portray gender?

Fair

Jessie is a strong female protagonist who takes control through her pursuit of barrel racing. However, her relationship with a confident male character might reinforce traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Useless?

Limited

The film's Western Montana setting and rodeo culture suggest a homogeneous demographic. There is no indication of a diverse cast or characters of color playing significant roles.

How does Useless represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story emphasizes individual resilience and traditional aspirations like hope and dreams. It does not seem to critique Western institutions or cultural norms.

Does Useless include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information about the representation of neurodivergence, chronic illness, or visible disabilities in the narrative.

Present on Screen

The film highlights a female protagonist with clear determination and ability to act.
Jessie's pursuit of a physically challenging skill counters passive female stereotypes.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks racial and ethnic diversity, reflecting a homogeneous cultural environment.
The story follows conventional romantic structures without including LGBTQ+ representation.
The film does not engage with disability representation or neurodivergent perspectives.

Official Synopsis

When her mother dies tragically in a car accident, 17-year-old Jessie is taken in by her aunt and uncle, in Western Montana. She finds herself in a new school, with the unexpected attention of a cocky bull rider- and an almost impossible need to hold on to the one connection she has with her mother: barrel racing. Doing anything she can to get around horses, Jessie does not give up on her dream, despite not having a horse of her own. But when her Uncle Mick finds a deal on a cutting horse that has been deemed useless, Jessie finds a new hope in life, and the chance at barrel racing she's been needing.

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