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Dying to Belong

Name: Dying to Belong
Director: Gail Harvey
Released: 2021
Duration: 84 min

Representation Score

5.1/10

Fair

2021

TV-14

Director

Gail Harvey

Runtime

84 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Dying to Belong succeeds in reframing gender dynamics by positioning its female protagonist as an active investigator rather than a passive participant. This intellectual approach to the sorority cliché provides a refreshing layer of ability to act. However, the film struggles with broader diversity. The lack of confirmed racial, LGBTQ+, and disability representation limits its impact, making the social critique primarily focused on gendered institutional structures. Ultimately, the film is a targeted critique of collegiate hierarchies. While it dismantles certain feminine stereotypes, it remains narrow in its demographic scope.

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Category Breakdown

Does Dying to Belong have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not explicitly confirm any LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight identities. The narrative focuses on cisgender female social structures within a sorority setting.

How does Dying to Belong portray gender?

Good

The story centers around Olivia, an intellectual investigator, highlighting women's ability to drive the story. It challenges sorority stereotypes by portraying the sisterhood as a site of systemic danger rather than empowerment.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Dying to Belong?

Limited

There is no verified evidence of a multi-ethnic cast. The setting suggests a specific social stratum that may lack diverse representation.

How does Dying to Belong represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques Western social institutions like Greek life. It portrays exclusive social belonging and traditional organizations as potentially corrupt or oppressive.

Does Dying to Belong include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative provides no evidence regarding the inclusion of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Empowers a female protagonist through intellectual ability to act and investigative purpose.
Critiques traditional Western social institutions and the dangers of exclusive Greek life.
Subverts the 'sorority girl' stereotype by focusing on systemic corruption.

Limited or Absent

Lacks visible representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight characters.
Provides no evidence of racial or ethnic diversity within the collegiate setting.
Fails to include characters representing visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

When journalism major Olivia is encouraged to join a sorority by her shy friend Riley, she senses an opportunity to go undercover and write a story about hazing practices. But she soon discovers there are deadly secrets involved in being part of the sisterhood.

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