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Little Mermaid

Name: Little Mermaid
Director: Roxie Blum, Matt Martin
Released: 2016
Duration: 87 min

Representation Score

3.5/10

Limited

2016

Director

Roxie Blum, Matt Martin

Runtime

87 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The 2016 version of The Little Mermaid functions as a pragmatic deconstruction of a classic archetype. Instead of following a romanticized fairytale trajectory, the film focuses on the protagonist's transition from a passive observer to an active participant in a gritty, unconventional world. The film earns credit for granting the female lead a significant role through her decision to secure employment and strike new deals for survival. This moves the character away from the submissive clichés often found in the original folklore. However, the film lacks visible markers of diverse identities. The narrative remains centered on a traditional romantic framework and provides no information regarding racial, ethnic, or disability representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Little Mermaid have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The story focuses on a heterosexual relationship between the mermaid protagonist and a human male. There are no representations of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender characters.

How does Little Mermaid portray gender?

Fair

The film challenges traditional gender roles by shifting the narrative from romantic pursuit to a story of survival. The protagonist gains a significant role in driving the story through employment and adapting to a new reality.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Little Mermaid?

Minimal

The fantasy setting provides no specific details about the racial or ethnic makeup of the cast or societies. There is insufficient information to assess the diversity accurately.

How does Little Mermaid represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative deconstructs the original Hans Christian Andersen framework. It shifts from traditional morality to a pragmatic focus on situational survival and moral relativism.

Does Little Mermaid include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the provided story details.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by emphasizing the protagonist's survival instincts and active participation.
Shifts from idealized fairytale morality to a more grounded, pragmatic character study.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender characters.
Provides no verifiable information regarding racial, ethnic, or disability diversity.

Official Synopsis

Based off of the original tale by Hans Christian Andersen, Little Mermaid tells the story of a young mermaid (Rosie Mac) leaving the sea for a human (Michael Murray) that she's watched from afar. When everything isn't as it seemed, she must find her own way. After getting a job dancing at a club and staying with a kind stranger, she strikes a new deal with the sea witch to stay in her new reality.

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