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The Unholy

The Unholy

2021

PG-13

Director

Evan Spiliotopoulos

Runtime

99 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Alice is a young hearing-impaired girl who, after a supposed visitation from the Virgin Mary, is inexplicably able to hear, speak and heal the sick. As word spreads and people from near and far flock to witness her miracles, a disgraced journalist hoping to revive his career visits the small New England town to investigate. When terrifying events begin to happen all around, he starts to question if these phenomena are the works of the Virgin Mary or something much more sinister.

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Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

3.9/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film contains no discernible LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisnormative identities. The story operates strictly within heteronormative frameworks and traditional social structures.

Gender Representation

Fair

Alice, the female protagonist, drives the plot through her perceived miracles. While she avoids submissive tropes, the film does not actively deconstruct masculine authority or gender hierarchies.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Minimal

The cast is predominantly white and Anglo-Saxon, reflecting a rural New England setting. The narrative lacks diverse ethnic intersections or color-blind casting.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The story critiques organized religion by portraying spiritual leaders as susceptible to deception. It uses religious fervor to explore themes of moral relativism and institutional corruption.

Disability Representation

Good

Alice is depicted as hearing-impaired, a trait central to the plot. The film avoids 'inspiration porn' by framing her condition within a complex struggle against exploitation.

Strengths

  • The film provides a nuanced portrayal of a hearing-impaired protagonist without relying on 'inspiration porn' tropes.
  • The narrative offers a compelling critique of organized religious institutions and the corruption of spiritual authority.

Areas for Improvement

  • The film lacks racial and ethnic diversity, opting for a predominantly white, homogeneous cast.
  • There is a complete absence of LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisnormative gender identities.

AI Analysis

The Unholy is a genre-driven horror film that prioritizes theological tension over social intersectionality. Its primary strength lies in its nuanced treatment of disability and its skeptical view of religious institutions. By centering on a hearing-impaired protagonist, the film integrates her identity into a larger narrative of supernatural deception. However, the film is demographically narrow. It relies on a homogeneous, white, rural New England cast and lacks any LGBTQ+ representation. This creates a narrative that feels anchored in traditional Western archetypes rather than a diverse modern landscape. Ultimately, the film offers a meaningful critique of spiritual authority but fails to provide significant breadth in racial or social diversity.

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