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Arkansas

Name: Arkansas
Director: Clark Duke
Released: 2020
Duration: 117 min

Representation Score

1.8/10

Minimal

2020

Director

Clark Duke

Runtime

117 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Arkansas operates as a traditional crime thriller that prioritizes atmospheric tension and dark humor over diverse representation. The story is set in a homogeneous, rural environment that limits its engagement with various identities. While the film employs surrealism to create a postmodern texture, it remains within established genre clichés. It functions as a character study of criminal consequences rather than a tool for social critique. The lack of diverse casting and the focus on male-centric hierarchies result in a narrow narrative scope that avoids challenging conventional social structures.

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Category Breakdown

Does Arkansas have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film centers on a rural crime subplot and does not engage with queer identities or narratives that challenge assumptions about straight relationships.

How does Arkansas portray gender?

Limited

The story relies on traditional masculine archetypes and male-dominated conflicts. Female characters exist but do not drive the main storyline.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Arkansas?

Limited

The casting reflects a predominantly white, rural population. The story lacks characters of color with significant roles, adhering to a conventional approach to regional storytelling.

How does Arkansas represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film explores absurdity and chaos through genre clichés. It does not explicitly critique systemic power or Western institutions.

Does Arkansas include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no prominent depictions of visible or invisible disabilities. The psychological states of the protagonists do not serve as intentional disability representation.

Present on Screen

The film uses surrealism to offer a unique, postmodern texture to its storytelling.
It provides a focused, character-driven exploration of psychological trauma and its consequences.

Limited or Absent

The narrative relies heavily on traditional masculine archetypes and male-dominated conflicts.
The setting lacks racial diversity, sticking to a homogeneous demographic.
There is a lack of visible LGBTQ+ representation or narratives that challenge assumptions about straight relationships.

Official Synopsis

Kyle and Swin live by the orders of an Arkansas-based drug kingpin named Frog, whom they've never met. But when a deal goes horribly wrong, the consequences are deadly.

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