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Livin' with Steve

Name: Livin' with Steve
Director: Levi George, Tim Cannan
Released: 2012
Duration: 16 min

Representation Score

4.3/10

Fair

2012

TV-MA

Director

Levi George, Tim Cannan

Runtime

16 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Livin' with Steve is a niche independent animation that leans heavily into dark comedy and horror clichés. The narrative structure disrupts social norms and communal stability, offering a nuanced look at morality through a misunderstood monster. However, the film is limited by a very narrow character focus. The lack of demographic breadth and the absence of diverse gender or racial identities prevent it from achieving deeper multi-layered impact. Ultimately, while the film challenges traditional moral certainties, it remains a genre-driven piece that lacks significant representation across most social categories.

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Category Breakdown

Does Livin' with Steve have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story centers on the strong bond between Nate and Steve, though the relationship is unconventional, the film does not explicitly confirm any non-straight identities or romantic pairings.

How does Livin' with Steve portray gender?

Fair

The film focuses almost exclusively on a male-centric duo. There is a notable absence of female characters or diverse gender expressions in the primary character descriptions.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Livin' with Steve?

Minimal

The synopsis provides no mention of racial or ethnic diversity within Pine Falls. The work appears to default to a traditional, homogeneous setting without specific character descriptions.

How does Livin' with Steve represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film critiques social perception through the town's inability to recognize a living corpse. It also challenges civic-mindedness by portraying a protagonist who is apathetic toward community tragedy.

Does Livin' with Steve include disability representation?

Fair

Steve’s zombie condition serves as a biological metaphor for physical and cognitive differences. However, it is unclear if this provides meaningful representation or remains a standard horror device.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional social structures and communal awareness.
Offers a nuanced approach to morality through a misunderstood protagonist.
Challenges conventional depictions of civic-mindedness and social responsibility.

Limited or Absent

Lacks visible demographic breadth and multi-layered depth.
Features a notable absence of female characters and diverse gender expressions.
Provides no evidence of racial or ethnic diversity within the setting.

Official Synopsis

In Pine Falls, a secluded and usually peaceful town, multiple acts of dismemberment and cannibalism have been reported. Nate, an unemployed teenager, is too caught up in his own world to notice or even care. For Nate, a terrible tragedy is when he can't find the time to hang out with his best friend Steve. Steve is a wise cracking, quick thinking, loyal friend- at least that's how Nate sees it. The reality is that Steve is a Zombie; a living corpse, contaminated by an infection that raises the dead, giving them an unquenchable desire to feed on human flesh. Despite his gruesome appearance and lack of social skills, the people of Pine Falls consider Steve to be nothing more than Nate's handsome friend, until it's too late.

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