You are here:
The Retaliators

The Retaliators

2022

Director

Samuel Gonzalez Jr., Bridget Smith

Runtime

96 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

An upstanding pastor uncovers a dark and twisted underworld as he searches for answers surrounding his daughter's brutal murder.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

2.7/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film lacks any visible LGBTQ+ characters or depictions of same-sex intimacy. The narrative focuses on a traditional survivalist framework without queer visibility.

Gender Representation

Fair

Female protagonists engage directly in combat and survival, subverting the common 'damsel in distress' trope. However, the broader ensemble's gender dynamics remain unclear.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

The film does not confirm a non-white majority or intentional intersectional casting. There is no evidence of high-agency characters of color disrupting historical norms.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The story centers on a pastor and traditional religious morality. It follows standard vengeance tropes rather than offering a critique of Western institutions or organized religion.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. No neurodivergent or physically disabled characters are central to the narrative arc.

Strengths

  • Subverts gendered tropes by featuring female protagonists who engage in active combat and survival.
  • Provides female characters with agency in high-stakes, violent situations.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and non-cisnormative gender expressions.
  • Fails to include characters with visible or invisible disabilities.
  • Does not demonstrate intentional intersectional casting or high-agency characters of color.
  • Relies on traditional religious frameworks rather than exploring diverse cultural perspectives.

AI Analysis

The Retaliators operates as a conventional genre-driven thriller that prioritizes survival and revenge over social commentary. While it makes strides in gender representation by giving female characters agency in combat, it fails to address other major identity markers. The film relies heavily on traditional religious archetypes and standard thriller tropes. This focus on a vengeance cycle prevents the narrative from deconstructing systemic hierarchies or exploring intersectional identities. Ultimately, the work stays within established cinematic boundaries. It offers moderate inclusion through its handling of gender but lacks the intentionality needed to represent diverse social or physical experiences.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.