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The Thing

Name: The Thing
Director: Rhys Ernst
Released: 2012
Duration: 14 min

Representation Score

7.0/10

Good

2012

Not Rated

Director

Rhys Ernst

Runtime

14 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Rhys Ernst’s film is a character-driven drama that succeeds by centering a trans masculine protagonist. By making Tristan’s identity a core component of the narrative, the film moves beyond including someone from a minority group without giving them real depth to explore the practical and social nuances of his life. While the film excels in LGBTQ+ representation, it lacks breadth in other areas. The focus remains tightly on the central couple, resulting in a lack of racial and ethnic diversity. The narrative is an intimate study rather than a broad social commentary. Ultimately, the film subverts traditional romantic archetypes. It replaces standard gender hierarchies with a story defined by mutual vulnerability and the complexities of navigating identity during a transformative journey.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Thing have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film centers on Tristan, a trans man, giving him a significant role in driving the story. His experiences with gender identity are woven into the main conflicts of the plot.

How does The Thing portray gender?

Good

The story avoids traditional hierarchies by focusing on the emotional labor of both protagonists. Zooey drives the plot while Tristan navigates his personal identity.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Thing?

Limited

The narrative focuses on a specific interpersonal relationship. There is no evidence of a multi-ethnic cast or significant racial diversity within the film.

How does The Thing represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film explores secular, individualized experiences of connection. It prioritizes subjective emotional truths over traditional Western institutional values or rigid social structures.

Does The Thing include disability representation?

Fair

The film touches on the physical navigation of the body and finding accessible spaces. However, these elements remain tied to the context of gender affirmation.

Present on Screen

Provides significant narrative ability to act to a trans masculine protagonist.
Subverts traditional gender hierarchies and romantic archetypes.
Integrates gender identity into the central plot and character conflicts.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity within the character ensemble.
Disability representation is limited to the context of gender affirmation.
The narrative scope is narrow, focusing almost exclusively on a single dyad.

Official Synopsis

There's something missing in Tristan and Zooey's relationship. Zooey has spent weeks planning a road trip to a mysterious roadside attraction known as 'The Thing' in the hopes that she and Tristan will reconnect. Both Tristan, an FTM transman, and his fluffy cat Steven struggle to find places to comfortably pee, while Zooey learns the open road isn't everything she hoped it would be. Will they find what they're looking for at 'The Thing'?

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