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Bad

Name: Bad
Director: Martin Scorsese
Released: 1987
Duration: 18 min

Representation Score

6.2/10

Good

1987

Director

Martin Scorsese

Runtime

18 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Martin Scorsese's direction elevates this music video into a sophisticated study of urban ability to act. The film succeeds by centering Black identity and stylistic rebellion, effectively challenging mainstream media hierarchies through empowered performance. While the work excels in racial and cultural representation, it lacks depth in other areas. The hyper-masculine focus limits gender and LGBTQ+ diversity, as the narrative prioritizes street-level authority and individualistic performance over broader social identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does Bad have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on urban tension rather than LGBTQ+ identities. It avoids assumptions about straight relationships by emphasizing masculine street culture over romantic storylines.

How does Bad portray gender?

Fair

The narrative operates within a hyper-masculine landscape. It disrupts traditional family structures by centering street identity and rhythmic movement over conventional family roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Bad?

Excellent

The film celebrates Black aesthetic excellence and ability to act. By centering a Black protagonist, it avoids framing minority characters through a lens of victimization.

How does Bad represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story prioritizes urban survival and situational ethics. It frames the protagonist's defiance against institutional authority rather than following traditional Western moralities.

Does Bad include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not prominently feature characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Exceptional centering of Black ability to act and aesthetic excellence.
Effective critique of systemic friction and institutional authority.
Disrupts traditional cinematic gazes through powerful, identity-driven movement.

Limited or Absent

Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ presence or non-cisgender expressions.
Heavy reliance on hyper-masculine archetypes limits gender diversity.
Absence of characters representing various disabilities.

Official Synopsis

For the first short film for one of five consecutive record-breaking No. 1 hits from "Bad," Michael Jackson and director Martin Scorsese created an epic 18-minute tale of urban and racial challenges in the 1980s. "Bad" was named the second greatest of Michael's short films by Rolling Stone in 2014.

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