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The Tag-Along: Devil Fish

Name: The Tag-Along: Devil Fish
Director: David Chuang
Released: 2018
Duration: 115 min

Representation Score

4.3/10

Fair

2018

Director

David Chuang

Runtime

115 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film is a culturally specific horror piece that draws its strength from its departure from Western cinematic norms. By using Taiwanese folklore and regional mythology, it centers non-Western spiritual beliefs and hierarchies. However, the narrative adheres to conventional genre clichés rather than actively deconstructing social hierarchies. The focus remains on the conflict between the mundane and the supernatural, without intentional characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity. Ultimately, while the work is culturally distinct, it does not engage with contemporary sociopolitical frameworks or diverse identity politics.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Tag-Along: Devil Fish have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. The narrative focuses on interactions between the living and the supernatural.

How does The Tag-Along: Devil Fish portray gender?

Fair

ability to act is shared between a spirit medium and students, but roles seem defined by horror genre conventions. There is no clear evidence of challenging traditional gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Tag-Along: Devil Fish?

Fair

The film highlights its Taiwanese setting and folklore, emphasizing regional identities and moving away from Western-centric cinema.

How does The Tag-Along: Devil Fish represent religion and culture?

Good

The story delves into non-Western spiritual beliefs and local mythology. It centers on traditional rituals and spiritual authority rather than Western rational thought.

Does The Tag-Along: Devil Fish include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. No assessment can be made regarding neurodivergent ability to act or disability as a plot device.

Present on Screen

Highlights its Taiwanese setting and folklore, emphasizing regional identities.
Focuses on non-Western spiritual frameworks and traditional ritualistic authority

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender characters.
Does not actively challenge traditional gender hierarchies or social structures.
Provides no meaningful representation of characters with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

When a spirit medium is called to exorcise a demon from a possessed man, he is unknowingly captured in the act by two students looking to document the process. When the students accidentally release the devil fish demon into the world, it is up to them and the spirit medium to send it back to the hellish world from where it came.

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