You are here:

Refuge

Name: Refuge
Director: Renny Harlin
Released: 2023
Duration: 91 min

Representation Score

0.9/10

Minimal

2023

Director

Renny Harlin

Runtime

91 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Refuge follows a traditional action-horror format that emphasizes genre spectacle over diverse storytelling. The plot revolves around a veteran's return from combat and the subsequent changes in his home life, adhering to well-known military and marital clichés. The film does not intentionally challenge social hierarchies or promote progressive themes. It remains a character-focused exploration of individual trauma rather than a platform for diverse identities. Overall, the production adheres to conventional genre expectations, maintaining a Western-centric viewpoint without substantial engagement with systemic or diverse social issues.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Refuge have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships. It focuses solely on a traditional marriage.

How does Refuge portray gender?

Limited

The story relies on typical gender roles, featuring a male soldier and a female counterpart. Although the female character becomes dangerous, the overall framework sticks to conventional domestic archetypes.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Refuge?

Limited

Set in Afghanistan, the film focuses on the experiences of a Western soldier without showcasing a diverse cast or multi-ethnic viewpoint.

How does Refuge represent religion and culture?

Limited

While the film delves into war trauma and family breakdown, it does not explore themes that question institutions. Instead, it centers on individual survival and traditional duties.

Does Refuge include disability representation?

Minimal

Characters with disabilities are not given significant roles or ability to act. Their experiences are not deeply explored.

Present on Screen

The film examines the psychological and supernatural effects of war trauma on a returning soldier.
The female lead's transformation breaks away from passive feminine stereotypes within a horror context.

Limited or Absent

The narrative heavily depends on conventional gender and domestic clichés.
The story does not represent LGBTQ+ identities or non-traditional gender perspectives.
The perspective remains focused on Western culture despite the international setting of Afghanistan.
There is no meaningful depiction of characters with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Sergeant Rick Pedroni comes home to his wife Kate changed and dangerous after suffering an attack by a mysterious force during combat in Afghanistan.

How are these scores produced? →