The Unhealer
2021
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Diversity score: 3.3 out of 10
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The Changeover
2017
Not RatedDirector
Stuart McKenzie, Miranda Harcourt
Runtime
95 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
Laura Chant, 16, lives with her mother and four-year-old brother Jacko in a poor new suburb on the edge of a partially demolished Christchurch, New Zealand. Laura is drawn into a supernatural battle with an ancient spirit who attacks Jacko and slowly drains the life out of him as the spirit becomes ever younger. Laura discovers her true identity and the supernatural ability within her, and must harness it to save her brother's life.
Where to Watch
Diversity & Representation
Overall Score
2.9/10
Limited
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film lacks LGBTQ+ characters or narratives that challenge heteronormativity. The story focuses exclusively on the familial bond between a sister and her brother.
Gender Representation
Laura serves as a powerful female protagonist who drives the plot through her own agency. She utilizes her spiritual strength to resolve a crisis that adult figures cannot handle.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The cast is primarily of Western descent, reflecting a specific working-class Christchurch setting. There is no evidence of diverse casting or the use of non-human species as racial metaphors.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The narrative explores grief and socioeconomic instability within a partially demolished urban environment. It emphasizes internal supernatural truths over established institutional or religious protections.
Disability Representation
There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. Neurodivergence and chronic illnesses are not part of the narrative fabric.
Strengths
- The film empowers a young female lead, granting her primary agency and spiritual strength.
- It subverts traditional gender hierarchies by positioning female intellect as the central tool for survival.
- The setting provides a localized, atmospheric sense of place within a specific New Zealand context.
Areas for Improvement
- The narrative lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and non-cisnormative gender expressions.
- There is a notable absence of characters with disabilities or neurodivergent traits.
- The cast lacks racial and ethnic diversity, focusing almost exclusively on Western characters.
AI Analysis
The film succeeds in subverting traditional hero tropes by centering the narrative on a teenage girl's agency and intellect. Laura's supernatural abilities become the primary mechanism for her family's survival, moving away from conventional gender hierarchies. However, the film lacks intersectional depth. The focus remains tightly locked within a traditional familial structure, leaving little room for broader social representation. The absence of LGBTQ+ and disability representation limits the story's scope. While the setting provides a localized New Zealand identity, the cast lacks racial diversity. The film functions more as a specific coming-of-age tale than a vehicle for systemic social critique.
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