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What Doesn't Kill Us

Name: What Doesn't Kill Us
Director: Sandra Nettelbeck
Released: 2018
Duration: 129 min

Representation Score

6.3/10

Good

2018

Director

Sandra Nettelbeck

Runtime

129 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

What Doesn't Kill Us is a character-driven study that finds strength in psychological depth rather than grand spectacle. It succeeds in challenging traditional male leadership by presenting a male lead who is emotionally vulnerable and reactive to the strong women in his life. However, the film's scope feels limited by its focus on a domestic setting in Western Europe. The lack of visible racial diversity and explicit LGBTQ+ representation keeps the narrative within a conventional social framework. Ultimately, the film's merit lies in its sophisticated handling of mental health and the deconstruction of traditional family stability, offering a nuanced look at modern interpersonal volatility.

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Category Breakdown

Does What Doesn't Kill Us have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on heterosexual relationships between the main character and his patient. It explores unconventional relationship structures but does not explicitly confirm any non-straight or non-cisgender identities.

How does What Doesn't Kill Us portray gender?

Fair

The movie challenges traditional stereotypes by showing a male protagonist who is emotionally vulnerable. Strong female characters, including an ex-wife and a patient with high ability to act, add complexity to the story.

How racially and ethnically diverse is What Doesn't Kill Us?

Limited

The story seems to center on a domestic setting in Western Europe. There is no visible evidence of diverse racial integration within the provided context.

How does What Doesn't Kill Us represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film emphasizes secular, psychological themes over religious ones. It deconstructs the 'perfect family' ideal by depicting domestic life as a place of ongoing negotiation.

Does What Doesn't Kill Us include disability representation?

Fair

Mental health and neurodivergence are central to the character arcs. By focusing on a psychotherapist and patients with compulsive behaviors, the film addresses psychological challenges with ability to act.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional male leadership by presenting an emotionally vulnerable protagonist.
Includes strong female characters who drive the narrative through their actions.
Integrates mental health and neurodivergence into core character arcs rather than using them as mere plot devices.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight relationships.
Shows a lack of visible racial and ethnic diversity within the social setting.
Remains largely within a conventional, Western European social framework.

Official Synopsis

As a divorced father of two teenage daughters, with a head-strong ex-wife for a best friend, too many peculiar patients to keep up with and a new dog, psychotherapist Max certainly doesn't need another challenge. But when Sophie, a compulsive gambler with a boyfriend problem, regularly shows up late for her appointments, she rocks his world in ways he's not ready for.

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