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Thinner

Name: Thinner
Director: Tom Holland
Released: 1996
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

3.8/10

Limited

1996

Director

Tom Holland

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Thinner is a traditional genre thriller that adheres to established social and narrative conventions. The film prioritizes a homogeneous demographic and reinforces conventional family and moral structures. It lacks the complexity and systemic subversion found in more progressive cinema. The story focuses on individual retribution and moral accountability, avoiding broader social or cultural critiques. This results in a narrative that feels rooted in standard patriarchal and conventions that assume everyone is straight.

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Category Breakdown

Does Thinner have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on a traditional heterosexual relationship and does not include any visible LGBTQ perspectives or non-cisgender identities.

How does Thinner portray gender?

Limited

Gender roles follow conventional patterns, with the female lead serving in a supportive, traditional capacity. The story centers around a male protagonist’s psychological and physical struggles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Thinner?

Limited

The cast is predominantly white and upper-middle-class. A Romani character sets off the plot, but the depiction lacks nuance and the character has little influence.

How does Thinner represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film explores moral corruption through a lens of cosmic justice and moral absolutes. It maintains a traditional family structure without critiquing Western institutions.

Does Thinner include disability representation?

Limited

The protagonist's supernatural weight loss serves as a body horror element. This transformation is used for psychological torment rather than a nuanced portrayal of a physical condition.

Present on Screen

The film uses a clear, high-stakes supernatural premise to drive its psychological horror elements.

Limited or Absent

The film relies on conventional gender roles and lacks diverse representation across LGBTQ+ and racial identities.
The use of physical transformation as body horror lacks nuance or ability to act regarding physical conditions.
The narrative lacks cultural depth, using ethnic characters primarily as plot catalysts for supernatural retribution.

Official Synopsis

An obese lawyer finds himself growing "Thinner" when an old Romani man places a hex on him. Now the lawyer must call upon his friends in organized crime to help him persuade the old man to lift the curse. Time is running out for the desperate lawyer as he draws closer to his own death, and grows ever thinner.

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