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The Kissing Booth

The Kissing Booth

Representation Score

3.5/10

Limited

2018

TV-14

Director

Vince Marcello

Runtime

105 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Kissing Booth functions as a standard commercial teen romantic comedy that prioritizes genre clichés over social disruption. It relies on established social hierarchies and traditional romantic models to drive interpersonal tension. The film lacks intentionality regarding multi-layered representation, presenting a demographic profile that is largely homogeneous. This results in a narrative that feels safe and mainstream, avoiding any significant engagement with diverse identities or lived experiences. Ultimately, the production adheres to a traditionalist approach to storytelling, focusing on personal emotional stakes within a narrow social scope, leaving little room for the deconstruction of conventional norms.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Kissing Booth have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows traditional romantic models and does not include any queer perspectives or narratives that challenge these models.

How does The Kissing Booth portray gender?

Fair

Gender roles follow traditional archetypes such as the popular athlete and quirky protagonist. The female lead has a significant role in driving the story, but the film reinforces standard romantic expectations.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Kissing Booth?

Limited

The film depicts a predominantly white, middle-class high school environment. It lacks depth in representing diverse racial backgrounds and maintains a homogeneous demographic profile.

How does The Kissing Booth represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story portrays a typical Western adolescent life focused on individualistic romantic pursuits. It avoids broader cultural or institutional critiques, focusing on individual experiences.

Does The Kissing Booth include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any significant representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. The narrative does not address the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities.

Present on Screen

  • The female lead, Elle, plays a significant role in driving the story.

Limited or Absent

  • The film lacks queer perspectives and operates within a strictly straight-centered framework.
  • There is a notable absence of racial and ethnic diversity within the primary cast.
  • The narrative fails to include meaningful representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
  • The story relies heavily on traditional gendered social hierarchies and archetypes.

Official Synopsis

When teenager Elle's first kiss leads to a forbidden romance with the hottest boy in high school, she risks her relationship with her best friend.

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