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The Dinner Party

Name: The Dinner Party
Director: Miles Doleac
Released: 2020
Duration: 115 min

Representation Score

7.5/10

Good

2020

Director

Miles Doleac

Runtime

115 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film primarily functions as a critique of class and social stratification using a horror framework. It employs a diverse cast in high-status roles to challenge traditional socioeconomic archetypes. While the film avoids traditional storytelling by featuring diverse actors in prominent positions, it sometimes relies on established stereotypes. Particularly, the portrayal of certain identities, such as gender and disability, can lean on familiar clichés. Overall, the film excels in its disruption of socioeconomic archetypes and its critique of the predatory nature of established societal institutions.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Dinner Party have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

Sebastian is introduced as the companion to the host, Carmine Braun. This pairing challenges the typical expectations of domestic partnerships within an elite social circle.

How does The Dinner Party portray gender?

Fair

Haley is portrayed as neurotic and medicated, which can reinforce stereotypes of female fragility. However, she later assumes a high-stakes survival role alongside Jeff, showing a shift in her character arc.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Dinner Party?

Good

Sawandi Wilson's casting in a high-status role breaks the mold of historically homogeneous wealthy elites. This choice challenges conventional socioeconomic stereotypes through diverse representation.

How does The Dinner Party represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative criticizes Western institutional structures by portraying cultural elites as predatory. The setting serves as a microcosm for the perceived decadence and instability of the upper class.

Does The Dinner Party include disability representation?

Limited

Haley is introduced as being medicated, which touches on mental health issues. There is a risk that these elements are used as plot devices rather than giving her true control over her actions.

Present on Screen

Challenges socioeconomic archetypes by casting people of color in high-status roles.
Disrupts traditional expectations of domestic partnerships through LGBTQ+ representation.
Provides a sharp critique of Western institutional structures and the predatory nature of the elite.

Limited or Absent

Avoid reinforcing stereotypes of female fragility when depicting neurodivergence or mental health issues.
Provide more control and depth to characters whose identities are tied to being medicated.
Subvert gender hierarchies more deeply beyond the context of class-based tensions.

Official Synopsis

A budding playwright and his wife attend a dinner party hosted by wealthy, cultural elites, who have promised to bankroll the writer's latest play to Broadway, but, in fact, have darker designs in mind for the couple.

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