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The Canyonlands

Name: The Canyonlands
Director: Brendan Devane
Released: 2021
Duration: 99 min

Representation Score

2.5/10

Limited

2021

Director

Brendan Devane

Runtime

99 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Canyonlands operates as a traditional slasher set in a remote wilderness. While it avoids the typical all-white cast often seen in the genre, it remains tied to established horror clichés. The production succeeds in diversifying its cast with the inclusion of various racial and ethnic performers, offering a more inclusive visual landscape compared to many similar films in the survival horror subgenre. However, the film lacks thematic depth regarding identity issues. It does not use its setting to explore overlapping aspects of identity, disability, or queer experiences, focusing instead on survivalist clichés.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Canyonlands have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or themes related to queer identities. It follows a standard survivalist storyline without addressing non-traditional gender identities.

How does The Canyonlands portray gender?

Fair

The film features female characters like Stephanie Barkley, but it is unclear whether these characters challenge traditional gender roles or have significant influence in the story.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Canyonlands?

Good

The casting includes actors like Marqus Bobesich and Larry Yazzie, providing a more inclusive representation. This helps break the common pattern of all-white casts in wilderness horror films.

How does The Canyonlands represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story follows conventional horror clichés without delving into deeper cultural or social critiques. It centers on individual survival in nature without exploring complex cultural themes.

Does The Canyonlands include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not feature any characters with visible or invisible disabilities. There is also no representation of neurodivergent individuals.

Present on Screen

The cast includes diverse performers like Larry Yazzie and Marqus Bobesich.
The film avoids the usual all-white demographic in wilderness horror.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and neurodivergent characters.
There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.
The film does not engage with complex cultural or systemic social themes.

Official Synopsis

After 5 people win a rafting trip down the Colorado in Utah, their adventure takes a deadly turn when they camp off the river for the night, and find out they aren't the only ones out in the remote rugged canyon lands.

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