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Village of the Dead

Name: Village of the Dead
Director: Rizal Mantovani
Released: 2025
Duration: 95 min

Representation Score

5.4/10

Fair

2025

Director

Rizal Mantovani

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Village of the Dead is a genre-driven horror mystery that stands out for its cultural specificity rather than identity-based representation. By incorporating localized folklore and ritualistic social structures, the film effectively challenges Western-centric horror clichés. However, the film remains largely silent on specific social identities. There is no indication of LGBTQ+ representation or clear gender dynamics among the hikers. Additionally, there is no representation of characters with disabilities, which leaves a gap in the film’s inclusivity. Ultimately, the film’s diversity lies in its unique setting and cultural architecture. It replaces traditional institutional logic with a harrowing, localized reality, positioning itself as a distinctive entry in the adventure-horror genre.

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Category Breakdown

Does Village of the Dead have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not include any explicit references to LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. The storyline focuses solely on survival in a horror setting.

How does Village of the Dead portray gender?

Fair

The story revolves around four hikers, but their genders are not specified. It is unclear whether the group challenges or upholds traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Village of the Dead?

Good

The film sets its plot within a non-Western cultural context, emphasizing indigenous folklore and local markets. This approach steers clear of Western-centric themes.

How does Village of the Dead represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative explores ritualistic social structures and non-secular traditions. This challenges Western ideas of rational order through a localized, mystical setting.

Does Village of the Dead include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not provide any information about characters with visible or invisible disabilities. There is no representation of this demographic.

Present on Screen

The film uses localized folklore and non-Western settings to move beyond typical Western horror clichés.
The narrative centers on culturally specific rituals and mysterious, non-secular social structures.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender characters.
There is no visible or mentioned representation of characters with disabilities.
The gender composition of the central ensemble remains undefined, leaving room for more nuanced character dynamics.

Official Synopsis

Four hikers become trapped in a mysterious village after getting lost in a mountain foot market said to be an interdimensional gateway. There, the world turns strange—graveyards with no headstones, grinning bald figures, puppets with no puppeteer, and cult rituals dancing atop corpses. It all leads to one chilling truth: those who are trapped can never leave. The village is preparing a dark ritual to fill the hamlet with the dead. Faced with harrowing choices, can they survive—and make it home alive?

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