You are here:

Adam

Adam

Representation Score

5.9/10

Fair

2018

Director

Maria Solrun

Runtime

72 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film excels by centering a deaf protagonist in a high-stakes ethical crisis, avoiding common clichés about sensory disabilities. While it shines in its portrayal of disability, it remains narrow in its demographic focus, limiting opportunities for broader LGBTQ+ or racial exploration. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its refusal to rely on 'inspiration porn,' offering instead a raw, complex study of autonomy and the limits of institutional authority.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Adam have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film lacks explicit LGBTQ+ characters or stories centered around non-straight relationships. The narrative focuses strictly on the relationship between a mother and her son within a traditional family setting.

How does Adam portray gender?

Fair

The story explores a female lead's struggle with addiction and cognitive decline. The male protagonist, Adam, takes on a role of emotional labor and empathetic caregiving.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Adam?

Minimal

Specific casting details regarding racial or ethnic identities are unconfirmed. The film's intimate scale suggests a focus on psychological realism rather than broad demographic exploration.

How does Adam represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative challenges medical and legal authority by prioritizing individual choice over institutional mandates. It engages with moral relativism through a personal, ethically complex pact.

Does Adam include disability representation?

Excellent

The film treats Adam's deafness as a fundamental part of his life rather than a limitation. It also offers a nuanced look at cognitive disability through the mother's brain damage.

Present on Screen

  • Offers a sophisticated look at deafness as a lived experience.
  • Avoids 'inspiration porn' by focusing on the practical and emotional consequences of disability.
  • Provides a nuanced look at cognitive disability and the loss of autonomy.
  • Subverts gender clichés by placing the male lead in a role of emotional labor.

Limited or Absent

  • Lacks explicit LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight narrative elements.
  • Limited demographic diversity due to the narrow, intimate focus on a single family unit.
  • No verified evidence regarding racial or ethnic casting choices.

Official Synopsis

After years of hospitalization for alcoholism, a techno musician makes her son swear to never let her spend the rest of her life in an institution. When her doctors diagnose her with permanent brain damage, 20-year-old Adam, who is deaf and completely on his own, must decide whether to break his promise or help her die...

How are these scores produced? →

Where to Watch

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.