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Dark Rising

Name: Dark Rising
Director: Andrew Cymek
Released: 2007
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

4.2/10

Fair

2007

Director

Andrew Cymek

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Dark Rising operates within established fantasy-horror conventions, yet it offers notable subversions of traditional character roles. The film's strength lies in its ability to pivot away from predictable romantic and gendered hierarchies. While the narrative introduces progressive elements through shifts in romantic interest and female-led physical ability to act, it remains limited by a lack of racial and cultural diversity. The reliance on Western archetypes keeps the story within a traditional framework. Ultimately, the film presents a mixed landscape where character-driven ability to act challenges social norms, even as the broader world-building remains largely homogenous.

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Category Breakdown

Does Dark Rising have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

Jasmine challenges traditional romantic expectations by shifting her romantic interest from the male protagonist to Renee. This shift drives the interpersonal conflict and moves the plot away from conventional romantic resolutions.

How does Dark Rising portray gender?

Good

The film subverts the male protector cliché by centering Summer, a female warrior, as the primary agent of physical power. Female characters possess the specialized witchcraft and swordsmanship skills necessary for survival.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Dark Rising?

Limited

The narrative relies on traditional Western genre clichés and does not explicitly highlight a diverse or non-Anglo-Saxon majority cast. There is no evidence of intentional multi-layered blending of identities.

How does Dark Rising represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story prioritizes a secular, occult-based framework involving witchcraft and interdimensional portals over traditional religious structures. However, it remains tethered to established Western mythological patterns and adventure clichés.

Does Dark Rising include disability representation?

Minimal

The film provides no specific evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Subverts the male protector cliché by centering a female warrior as the primary source of physical power.
Challenges traditional romantic expectations through Jasmine's shift in romantic interest toward Renee.
Utilizes witchcraft and specialized female skills to drive the supernatural plot forward.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit racial and ethnic diversity within the cast and character archetypes.
Relies heavily on traditional Western adventure and mythological clichés.
Provides no representation or engagement with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A weekend camping trip turns into a frantic fight against the supernatural when an ancient demon and a fearsome female warrior bring their eternal battle into the present day. Jason Parks is trying to win back his ex-fiancee, Jasmine, by arranging a camping trip with the lost love in question, his best friend, Ricky, and their witchcraft-obsessed friend, Renee. Little does Jack realize that Jasmine has switched teams--these days she's more interested in seducing Renee than marrying the man she once loved. But lately Renee's been having horrible dreams about Summer Vale, a little girl who vanished without a trace 20 years ago. When Renee attempts to contact Summer's spirit, she inadvertently opens an interdimensional portal and unleashes a vicious demon. Fortunately for the frightened campers, a grown-up, sword-wielding Summer manages to get through the portal as well, and sets out to slay the malevolent hell-spawn.

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