New Showbiz

You are here:
The Curse

The Curse

1987

R

Director

David Keith

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Nathan Hayes is a religious man trying to hold onto his farm and keep his family in line. A real estate developer is trying to buy most of the farm property in the area, including Mr. Hayes’ family farm, in the hope that the Tennesse Valley Authority will choose the town for the site of a new dam and recreational area. The night of a terrible storm, an unidentified, glowing object crashes on the Hayes farm and with it comes a horrible curse for the family and other members of the community.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

2.3/10

Limited

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film operates within a conventional heteronormative framework. It does not feature LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-cisnormative identities.

Gender Representation

Limited

The narrative reinforces standard mid-century family roles and traditional gender hierarchies. It focuses on domestic spheres without elevating female agency or subverting masculine authority.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Minimal

The setting reflects a predominantly homogeneous, white, rural working-class community. There is a notable lack of racial or ethnic diversity within the cast.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

Faith is a central component of the protagonist's identity. The story focuses on situational dread rather than explicit ideological critiques of capitalism or Western values.

Disability Representation

Limited

Psychological states and supernatural phenomena drive the plot, but they function as genre tools. There is no nuanced exploration of neurodivergence or empowered characters with disabilities.

Strengths

  • The film provides a focused, culturally specific look at a religious, rural community.
  • The narrative effectively uses faith as a central pillar of the protagonist's identity.

Areas for Improvement

  • The cast lacks racial and ethnic diversity, presenting a very homogeneous environment.
  • The film fails to explore non-cisnormative identities or LGBTQ+ perspectives.
  • Gender roles remain strictly traditional, offering little agency to female characters.
  • Mental health and neurodivergence are used as plot devices rather than nuanced character studies.

AI Analysis

The Curse is a traditional 1980s rural horror film that prioritizes atmospheric tension over social complexity. It adheres strictly to the demographic and social constraints of its setting, offering a narrow view of community life. The narrative relies on established genre tropes, focusing on a religious family facing external threats. This approach results in a lack of intersectional breadth and minimal representation of marginalized groups. Ultimately, the film maintains a conventional perspective on family and authority, providing little disruption to traditional social hierarchies.

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.