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The Unholy

Name: The Unholy
Director: Evan Spiliotopoulos
Released: 2021
Duration: 99 min

Representation Score

4.3/10

Fair

2021

PG-13

Director

Evan Spiliotopoulos

Runtime

99 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film prioritizes theological tension over social diversity. Its main strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of a hearing-impaired protagonist and its critical view of religious institutions. However, the film's demographic is narrow, focusing on a predominantly white, rural New England cast. It lacks any LGBTQ+ representation, which limits its scope to traditional Western archetypes.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Unholy have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. It focuses solely on traditional heterosexual relationships and social structures.

How does The Unholy portray gender?

Fair

Alice, the female lead, drives the story through her perceived miracles. She avoids submissive stereotypes, but the film does not challenge traditional gender hierarchies or masculine authority.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Unholy?

Minimal

The cast is primarily white and Anglo-Saxon, reflecting a rural New England setting. The story does not include diverse ethnic backgrounds or color-blind casting.

How does The Unholy represent religion and culture?

Good

The story criticizes organized religion by depicting spiritual leaders as vulnerable to deception. It explores themes of moral relativism and institutional corruption through religious fervor.

Does The Unholy include disability representation?

Good

Alice is shown to be hearing-impaired, a trait integral to the plot. The film avoids 'inspiration porn' by presenting her condition as part of a complex struggle against exploitation.

Present on Screen

The film presents a nuanced depiction of a hearing-impaired protagonist without resorting to 'inspiration porn' clichés.
The narrative offers a compelling critique of organized religious institutions and the corruption of spiritual authority.

Limited or Absent

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

Official 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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