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Soul

Name: Soul
Director: Pete Docter
Released: 2020
Duration: 101 min

Representation Score

6.5/10

Good

2020

Director

Pete Docter

Runtime

101 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Soul succeeds as a deep exploration of identity, particularly through its strong focus on Black culture and jazz. By avoiding traditional 'struggle' narratives, it provides a rich, empowering portrayal of Black professional life. The film also offers a critical look at achievement-oriented societal structures, replacing the pursuit of a single purpose with a celebration of individual, lived experiences, adding philosophical depth. However, the film remains limited by a lack of LGBTQ+ representation and a focus on male perspectives. While it challenges some masculine hierarchies, the gender dynamics and absence of queer identities prevent a higher diversity score.

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Category Breakdown

Does Soul have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include explicit LGBTQ+ characters or stories focused on non-cisgender identities. While the metaphysical setting avoids assumptions about straight relationships, there are no specific markers of queer identities.

How does Soul portray gender?

Fair

The story is mainly driven by male perspectives, focusing on male existential crises. Although Joe shows vulnerability rather than traditional dominance, female supporting characters mostly follow established social roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Soul?

Excellent

The film stands out by centering Black identity through Joe Gardner’s artistic role in jazz. It avoids typical struggle narratives, instead offering a nuanced, organic depiction of Black professional life and community.

How does Soul represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The narrative challenges capitalist ideals by separating personal worth from professional achievements. It promotes an existentialist perspective where the essence of life is found in everyday, non-productive moments.

Does Soul include disability representation?

Good

Through the character 22, the film explores themes related to neurodivergent conditions. Her struggles with navigating sensory and psychological demands serve as a subtle, non-stigmatizing metaphor for neurodivergence.

Present on Screen

Strong centering of Black identity and artistic expression through jazz.
Nuanced depiction of Black professional life and community in New York.
Critical examination of hustle culture and achievement-based hierarchies.
Subtle, non-stigmatizing metaphors for neurodivergent experiences.

Limited or Absent

Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ characters or queer identity markers.
Story primarily driven by male perspectives.
Female characters mostly follow established social roles.

Official Synopsis

Joe Gardner is a middle school teacher with a love for jazz music. After a successful audition at the Half Note Club, he suddenly gets into an accident that separates his soul from his body and is transported to the You Seminar, a center in which souls develop and gain passions before being transported to a newborn child. Joe must enlist help from the other souls-in-training, like 22, a soul who has spent eons in the You Seminar, in order to get back to Earth.

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