You are here:
Carnage: Swallowing the Past

Carnage: Swallowing the Past

2017

Director

Simon Amstell

Runtime

65 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

It's 2067, the UK is vegan, but older generations are suffering the guilt of their carnivorous past. Simon Amstell asks us to forgive them for the horrors of what they swallowed.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.1/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Excellent

The film centers a gay male protagonist, making queer identity the core of its narrative architecture. It explores identity fluidity and modern dating through a non-cisnormative lens.

Gender Representation

Good

The story subverts the stoic male trope by emphasizing emotional vulnerability and subjectivity. However, the focus on male-centric romantic dynamics limits the breadth of gendered interaction.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

The cast appears predominantly white and occupies a middle-class urban sphere. The narrative lacks diverse ethnic casting or explicit racial intersectionality.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The film deconstructs Western social norms by prioritizing individual identity over traditional institutional expectations. Its speculative vegan setting critiques historical cultural habits and consumption.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There are no prominent or verified depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. The film focuses on psychological trauma rather than specific disability representation.

Strengths

  • Strong LGBTQ+ agency with a gay male protagonist driving the narrative.
  • Effective subversion of traditional masculine tropes through emotional vulnerability.
  • Sophisticated engagement with the deconstruction of Western social norms.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lack of racial and ethnic diversity within the cast and setting.
  • Limited breadth of gendered interaction due to male-centric romantic dynamics.
  • Absence of visible or invisible disability representation.

AI Analysis

Carnage: Swallowing the Past is a highly specialized work that prioritizes the deconstruction of sexual and social norms. It excels in its intentionality regarding LGBTQ+ agency, using a queer perspective to drive the emotional and thematic progression of the story. While the film offers a sophisticated critique of traditional Western social structures, it lacks significant racial and ethnic breadth. The narrative remains centered within a predominantly white, middle-class urban socioeconomic sphere. Ultimately, the film succeeds as a study of identity politics and emotional subjectivity, even as it misses opportunities for broader intersectional representation.

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.