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Against the Night

Against the Night

2017

NR

Director

Brian Cavallaro

Runtime

85 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

A group of friends sneak into an abandoned prison with the intention of making a ghost hunting video, until they start to go missing one by one.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

4.5/10

Fair


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Limited

The film follows a conventional heteronormative framework centered on the relationship between Rachel and her ex-boyfriend. There is no explicit depiction of non-cisnormative identities or same-sex intimacy.

Gender Representation

Fair

Rachel serves as the central protagonist and sole survivor, subverting traditional male-led survival narratives. Her agency in uncovering systemic secrets helps avoid common damsel in distress tropes.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The ensemble includes a mix of performers, such as Nicole Souza, suggesting a non-homogeneous cast. However, the plot does not center on racial identity or ethnic dynamics.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The narrative critiques institutional corruption by uncovering unethical human experimentation within a state prison. This framing positions the institution as a source of horror rather than social order.

Disability Representation

Limited

Characters are defined by their roles within the friend group and their reactions to the slasher elements. There is no discernible focus on neurodivergence or physical disabilities.

Strengths

  • Positions a female character as the central protagonist and sole survivor.
  • Challenges the benevolence of state institutions through themes of systemic corruption.
  • Avoids the damsel in distress trope by giving the lead agency in uncovering secrets.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisnormative relationships.
  • Provides no discernible focus on disability agency or neurodivergent characters.
  • Does not utilize racial or ethnic dynamics as a driver for the narrative.

AI Analysis

Against the Night functions primarily as a genre-driven thriller that utilizes the found-footage and slasher frameworks. While it lacks deep intersectional identity politics, it finds its footing by challenging the sanctity of state institutions through its plot involving historical human experimentation. The film succeeds in decentering traditional masculine leadership by placing a female survivor at the heart of the mystery. This provides a more nuanced perspective than many standard horror entries. However, the movie remains largely tethered to conventional tropes. It offers little disruption to traditional relationship structures or representation for disabled and LGBTQ+ communities.

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