You are here:

The Hedgehog

Name: The Hedgehog
Director: Mona Achache
Released: 2009
Duration: 100 min

Representation Score

8.1/10

Excellent

2009

Unrated

Director

Mona Achache

Runtime

100 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film succeeds in challenging social and age hierarchies by centering the intellectual life of a young girl. Paloma serves as a sophisticated observer who questions the authority of the adults around her. However, the narrative lacks overt representation of LGBTQ+ identities and specific ethnic diversity. The setting feels rooted in a typical European social milieu, which limits its broader cultural breadth. Ultimately, the film is a character-driven study of class and philosophy. It replaces mainstream archetypes with a nuanced, individualistic worldview that prioritizes internal psychological depth.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Hedgehog have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on emotional connections between a child, a janitor, and a neighbor. It does not explicitly address LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight relationships.

How does The Hedgehog portray gender?

Good

Paloma disrupts traditional hierarchies by acting as a highly articulate philosopher. The film centers her intellectual role, positioning a young girl as the primary critic of the adult world.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Hedgehog?

Fair

Set within a Parisian apartment building, the film explores class dynamics. While it avoids homogeneous depictions of wealth, it lacks explicit details regarding a multi-ethnic cast.

How does The Hedgehog represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative prioritizes secularism and intellectualism over traditional religious values. It critiques the superficiality of the bourgeoisie through Paloma's trenchant observations of society.

Does The Hedgehog include disability representation?

Fair

Paloma’s existential crisis and suicidal thoughts suggest a depiction of non-traditional psychological experiences. It remains unclear if her mental health struggles are treated with real power.

Present on Screen

Centers the intellectual role and philosophical depth of a young female protagonist.
Effectively challenges traditional social and age-based hierarchies through character-driven storytelling.
Offers a sophisticated critique of bourgeois social structures and conventional institutions.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight relationships.
Provides limited evidence of multi-ethnic casting or diverse racial representation.
Does not clearly define the real power behind the protagonist's mental health struggles.

Official Synopsis

Paloma is a serious and highly articulate but deeply bored 11-year-old who has decided to kill herself on her 12th birthday. Fascinated by art and philosophy, she questions and documents her life and immediate circle, drawing trenchant and often hilarious observations on the world around her. But as her appointment with death approaches, Paloma finally meets some kindred spirits in her building's grumpy janitor and an enigmatic, elegant neighbor, both of whom inspire Paloma to question her rather pessimistic outlook on life.

How are these scores produced? →