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Dark Water

Name: Dark Water
Director: Rafael Edholm
Released: 2012
Duration: 76 min

Representation Score

3.7/10

Limited

2012

Director

Rafael Edholm

Runtime

76 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Dark Water functions mainly as a conventional psychological thriller. It relies on well-known genre clichés rather than challenging social or identity-based hierarchies through its narrative structure. Although the film introduces ethnic diversity via a Polish character, the extent of this portrayal is not fully explored. The story's core revolves around heterosexual relationships and traditional class conflicts. Overall, the film emphasizes genre-driven suspense over the examination of gender hierarchies or multi-layered identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does Dark Water have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story centers on a heterosexual relationship between Daniel and Marie. There is no indication of queer-coded subtext or non-cisgender identities among the main characters.

How does Dark Water portray gender?

Fair

Marie demonstrates some ability to act through her choice to pursue the affair. However, the plot leans heavily on traditional clichés of infidelity and gendered expectations of marriage.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Dark Water?

Fair

George, a Polish craftsman, adds ethnic diversity to the Swedish setting. His presence touches on themes of migrant worker status and class.

How does Dark Water represent religion and culture?

Fair

The setting highlights class tension between professionals and workers. It does not provide a direct critique of Western cultural or institutional norms.

Does Dark Water include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative does not include any characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

George's character brings ethnic diversity and a migrant worker perspective to the Swedish setting.

Limited or Absent

The narrative adheres to assumptions that everyone is straight and cisgender, relying on traditional clichés of infidelity.
The film lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and characters with disabilities.
The exploration of class and outsider status remains potentially superficial without deeper characterization.

Official Synopsis

Daniel is a young and ambitious real estate agent with a view to becoming a partner in the company. Along with the boss' wife Marie, he dares to spend a secret and passionate weekend in a luxurious archipelago house which he is supposed to sell. Once there, both Daniel and Marie discover that they are not as alone as they thought. George, a Polish craftsman, has stayed behind to finish work on the house and prepare it for sale. Soon however, what should have been a passionate and intimate weekend develops into something far more unpleasant.

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