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Afterlife

Name: Afterlife
Director: J. Michael Long
Released: 2018
Duration: 70 min

Representation Score

7.2/10

Good

2018

TV-MA

Director

J. Michael Long

Runtime

70 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Afterlife functions as an existential inquiry rather than a social commentary. It prioritizes universal questions about consciousness over character-driven drama, which limits the ability to measure specific characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity. The film's strength lies in its attempt to dismantle traditional, institutionally-driven views of mortality. It promotes a form of radical inclusivity by focusing on a state of being that exists independently of social, racial, or gendered constructs. However, the work lacks the actively leading character archetypes necessary for a higher score in diversity. It relies on a broad, universalist approach rather than specific, diverse individual narratives.

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Category Breakdown

Does Afterlife have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on the universality of consciousness, which goes beyond specific identity markers. While it doesn't feature explicit LGBTQ+ character arcs, the emphasis on spirit forms helps break down traditional assumptions about heterosexual relationships.

How does Afterlife portray gender?

Fair

The documentary treats the transition of consciousness as a gender-neutral phenomenon. It avoids reinforcing traditional gender hierarchies by presenting the human experience as a singular, non-gendered spiritual event.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Afterlife?

Fair

The narrative seeks to identify patterns in consciousness that are not bound by race or ethnicity. It aims for a universalist perspective by addressing questions asked by humanity throughout history.

How does Afterlife represent religion and culture?

Good

The film prioritizes scientific inquiry over traditional religious dogma. By framing death through large-scale studies, it challenges singular, institutionalized religious frameworks in favor of spiritual pluralism.

Does Afterlife include disability representation?

Fair

The exploration of physical beings versus spirit forms offers an implicit commentary on bodily limitations. This focus on consciousness existing independently of the body may resonate with disabled perspectives.

Present on Screen

Promotes a universalist perspective that transcends social and racial hierarchies.
Challenges traditional religious dogmas through a scientific lens.
Explores consciousness as a state independent of physical or gendered constructs.

Limited or Absent

Lacks specific, actively leading character archetypes to drive characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity.
Provides no explicit depictions of same-sex intimacy or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities.
Does not offer concrete examples of diverse racial or ethnic participant demographics.

Official Synopsis

What happens to us when we die? It's a question man has asked since the beginning of time. Do we live briefly as physical beings then simply vanish into oblivion, or do we live on in spirit form? Why are we here, and how did we come to be here? Scientists may be closer to answering these and other questions than ever before with the largest study ever done on near-death and out-of-body experiences - the results of which have huge implications on how we view death. The results suggest that our consciousness does not get annihilated when we die. More than 8 million Americans have reported Near Death Experiences that include floating outside of their bodies, moving rapidly through a tunnel toward a light or seeing deceased loved ones. Perhaps death is not an end, but a beginning as we enter new worlds of existence we can only imagine.

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