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Shattered

Name: Shattered
Director: Natasha Kermani
Released: 2017
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

4.5/10

Fair

2017

Director

Natasha Kermani

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Shattered is a character-driven psychological thriller that centers on Kate Stenson’s investigation into a powerful patriarchal family. The film challenges the cliché of the passive female protagonist by featuring a strong female lead who actively drives the narrative. However, the film lacks diversity. The narrative remains confined to a racially monolithic and straight-centered environment, offering little visibility for LGBTQ+ or diverse ethnic groups. The setting feels localized to a specific, privileged social class. While the inclusion of Logan’s mental health issues adds depth, it risks using disability as a mere plot device.

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Category Breakdown

Does Shattered have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows traditional structures that assume everyone is straight and cisgender. There are no non-cisgender identities or same-sex relationships in the main storyline.

How does Shattered portray gender?

Fair

Kate Stenson is a strong female lead who drives the story forward. She actively challenges a patriarchal system to uncover family secrets.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Shattered?

Limited

The story focuses on a predominantly white, homogeneous social group in the Deep South. There is no evidence of diverse racial backgrounds or mixed-race families.

How does Shattered represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film critiques the stability of the traditional Southern family and its political institutions. It highlights the fragility of social status and reputation.

Does Shattered include disability representation?

Fair

Logan’s mental health issues add complexity to the family dynamic. However, his condition primarily serves as a plot device to advance the investigation.

Present on Screen

Features a strong female protagonist who drives the plot through active investigation.
Challenges patriarchal power structures by highlighting a dominant political legacy.
Explores the psychological deconstruction of the traditional Southern family unit.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender gender expressions.
Maintains a racially monolithic cast within a Southern political context.
Uses mental health issues primarily as a narrative device for suspense.

Official Synopsis

Shattered is a story based on true events about family betrayal, love lost, and a dark destructive secret that swirls around a high powered political family in the Deep South. Kate Stenson dreams of an enviable life as the quintessential Southern Belle. She marries Ken Burnett, the son of the town's powerful Mayor - a controlling father who will do anything to protect his position. Kate has two children with Ken - a biological daughter, and an adopted son, named Logan (Tate Birchmore). But Kate's seemingly perfect lifestyle begins to fray at the edges as she discovers that Logan suffers from severe mental health issues. Kate's journey to uncover the true story of Logan's past reveals a dark secret that can destroy the entire Burnett legacy. As Kate investigates - with the aid of a new friend - to unmask the history behind Logan's illness, these unimaginable family secrets surface, putting her in unforeseen danger.

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