
Ruben
2012

Representation Score
Fair
2017
PG-13Director
Sjoerd de Bont
Runtime
85 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetNew Showbiz Analysis
Bully (2017) offers a nuanced look at social friction by centering its conflict on underrepresented identities. The film succeeds in making LGBTQ+ identity and mental health central to the character arcs rather than using them as mere background details. However, the film remains tethered to traditional dramatic structures. The reliance on the bully/victim cliché and conventional masculine archetypes prevents a deeper deconstruction of gender hierarchies. While the film provides meaningful engagement with neurodivergence and sexual orientation, it lacks information regarding racial or ethnic diversity, leaving its broader social scope partially undefined.
Category Breakdown
The film centers on Suus, a lesbian student whose sexual orientation drives much of the central conflict. This approach moves past including someone from a minority group without giving them real depth to critique the social pressures of a school environment that assumes everyone is straight.
The story explores gendered power through the archetype of the dominant male bully. While it highlights the friction between masculine dominance and female experiences, it relies on conventional dramatic clichés.
There is no information available regarding the racial or ethnic composition of the cast or the setting. As a result, no assessment of racial diversity can be made.
The narrative examines systemic dysfunction by portraying a fractured domestic unit. It prioritizes situational morality over idealized family structures, framing the home as a site of instability.
Mental health is a significant narrative force through the character of Danny’s mother. The film explores how her illness directly impacts her child’s development and ability to act independently.
Present on Screen
Limited or Absent
Official Synopsis
Danny is a student that barely gets any attention at home because his mother is mentally ill. At school however, he is very popular and known as a big bully. His main victim is Suus, a lesbian classmate who faces many problems due to her sexual orientation.

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