You are here:

The Beacon

Name: The Beacon
Director: Michael Stokes
Released: 2009
Duration: 98 min

Representation Score

4.7/10

Fair

2009

Director

Michael Stokes

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Beacon operates as a conventional horror thriller that relies heavily on established genre clichés. The narrative structure prioritizes a traditional nuclear family navigating grief, limiting the scope for diverse perspectives. While the female protagonist actively investigates supernatural elements, the story often falls back on standard gendered roles. The lack of explicit LGBTQ+ or racial representation suggests a story designed for a mainstream, homogeneous audience. Ultimately, the film functions as a standard domestic drama, lacking the intentionality needed to challenge social hierarchies or offer complex, multi-layered character studies.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Beacon have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story centers around a traditional family unit where everyone is assumed to be straight and cisgender. There are no characters or situations that question these assumptions or include LGBTQ+ identities.

How does The Beacon portray gender?

Fair

Bryn takes the lead in investigating supernatural events, while Paul follows a typical recovery path. The inclusion of a tough male cop reinforces traditional masculine stereotypes.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Beacon?

Limited

The narrative seems to revolve around a homogeneous, Anglo-Saxon community. There are no indications of a diverse cast or characters from different racial backgrounds.

How does The Beacon represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film uses common suspense techniques focused on grief and loss. It emphasizes the importance of the family unit over questioning Western institutions.

Does The Beacon include disability representation?

Limited

The plot touches on psychological trauma after losing a loved one. An eccentric professor might suggest neurodivergence, but it’s unclear if this is a meaningful portrayal.

Present on Screen

The female protagonist takes a leading role in investigating supernatural events.

Limited or Absent

The film relies on traditional gendered responses to trauma and masculine stereotypes.
The narrative lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth characters.
There is a lack of racial and ethnic diversity among the characters.
The portrayal of neurodivergent traits via the professor remains ambiguous and potentially clichéd.

Official Synopsis

While trying to get their lives back on track after the loss of their four year old son, Bryn and Paul Shaw move to the charming old Beacon Apartments. Bryn begins seeing a ghostly little boy skulking around the building. With the help of an eccentric young professor and a tough old beat cop, Bryn tries to uncover the details of the boy's death.

How are these scores produced? →