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Work It

Work It

Representation Score

7.8/10

Good

2020

TV-14

Director

Laura Terruso

Runtime

93 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Work It successfully challenges traditional gender roles by focusing on a female protagonist navigating male-dominated social and athletic hierarchies. This approach offers a more nuanced portrayal of teenage life compared to typical genre films. The film also benefits from a diverse cast that reflects a modern, multicultural high school environment. This helps move the narrative away from monolithic, homogeneous depictions of adolescence. However, the film remains limited by its reliance on commercial clichés. It lacks a deep systemic critique or meaningful representation of disability, often using character traits like clumsiness as comedic devices rather than exploring complex lived experiences.

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Category Breakdown

Does Work It have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film centers on a protagonist who adopts a masculine presentation to navigate social hierarchies, highlighting the fluidity of identity within a commercial teen comedy.

How does Work It portray gender?

Good

By placing the female protagonist at the center of the story, the narrative challenges traditional gender hierarchies and the notion of inherent masculine leadership.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Work It?

Good

The film features a diverse cast reflecting a contemporary, multicultural high school environment, moving away from the homogeneous depictions typical of American coming-of-age stories.

How does Work It represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story prioritizes personal and social achievements over religious or traditional values, focusing on the misfit archetype but lacking a deeper examination of Western institutions.

Does Work It include disability representation?

Limited

The film does not significantly address neurodivergence or physical disabilities. The protagonist's clumsiness serves as a comedic device rather than a meaningful exploration of lived experiences.

Present on Screen

  • Places leadership and ability to act within the female protagonist, challenging traditional gender hierarchies.
  • Features a diverse, multicultural cast reflecting a contemporary high school environment.
  • Explores the performative nature of identity and gendered social navigation.

Limited or Absent

  • Lacks meaningful representation or ability to act regarding neurodivergence and physical disability.
  • Fails to provide a deep deconstruction of Western institutions or systemic social structures.
  • Relies on comedic clichés for character traits rather than exploring complex lived experiences.

Official Synopsis

A brilliant but clumsy high school senior vows to get into her late father's alma mater by transforming herself and a misfit squad into dance champions.

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