You are here:

The World to Come

Name: The World to Come
Director: Mona Fastvold
Released: 2021
Duration: 105 min

Representation Score

6.3/10

Good

2021

Director

Mona Fastvold

Runtime

105 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Mona Fastvold’s film is a sophisticated subversion of the Western genre, shifting the focus from masculine action to the psychological landscapes of women. It excels by centering a queer female connection that drives the entire plot, providing a level of ability to act rarely seen in period pieces. However, the film is limited by its historical scope, resulting in a lack of racial diversity. The cast remains almost exclusively white, reflecting the specific settler experience of the mid-19th century without broadening the demographic perspective. Ultimately, the film succeeds as a character-driven study of identity. It uses its setting to critique the social and religious structures that defined the era, making the personal connection of its protagonists the most vital element.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The World to Come have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film centers a non-straight relationship between Abigail and Talitha as its main storyline. This strong connection challenges traditional Western genre conventions by giving queer characters significant roles in driving the story.

How does The World to Come portray gender?

Excellent

The story upends the traditional gender roles of the frontier era by highlighting the intellectual and emotional independence of women. Women's internal lives are shown as more important than the strict patriarchal structures of the time.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The World to Come?

Limited

Reflecting its 1856 setting, the cast is primarily white and Anglo-Saxon. The film focuses solely on the domestic settler experience without giving much attention to non-white characters or their experiences.

How does The World to Come represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The narrative moves away from conventional Christian morality to explore personal truths. It portrays rigid religious and patriarchal institutions as oppressive forces that suppress individual identity.

Does The World to Come include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no prominent depictions of visible or invisible disabilities that play a central role in the narrative.

Present on Screen

Centers a profound, non-straight relationship between two women as the core plot driver.
Disrupts traditional gender roles by emphasizing women's intellectual and emotional independence.
Critically examines and challenges restrictive religious and patriarchal social structures.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity, focusing mainly on a predominantly white, Anglo-Saxon cast.
Does not include depictions of disability as part of the narrative landscape.

Official Synopsis

In 1856, two women forge a close connection despite their isolation on the American frontier.

How are these scores produced? →