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Desperate Riders

Name: Desperate Riders
Director: Michael Feifer
Released: 2022
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

2.1/10

Limited

2022

PG-13

Director

Michael Feifer

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Desperate Riders is a traditional Western film that adheres closely to established genre conventions. The narrative follows a straightforward path of heroism and justice, emphasizing the protection of a mother and child. While Leslie offers a minor challenge to the damsel cliché by showing strength and resilience, the film's core structure remains firmly rooted in traditional masculine leadership. The lack of diverse casting and multi-layered themes keeps the story within a narrow, historical archetype.

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Category Breakdown

Does Desperate Riders have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on traditional heterosexual relationships and family structures without including any queer narratives or characters with non-binary gender identities.

How does Desperate Riders portray gender?

Fair

Leslie stands out as a strong, capable survivor, challenging the damsel-in-distress cliché. However, the overall plot maintains a traditional structure where men lead the rescue efforts.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Desperate Riders?

Limited

The film features a predominantly white cast without indication of a multi-ethnic ensemble. It seems to adhere to the typical demographic makeup of Western films.

How does Desperate Riders represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story emphasizes traditional values centered around protecting the nuclear family and upholding frontier justice, following a conventional storyline without critiquing Western institutions.

Does Desperate Riders include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of characters with visible or invisible disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

Leslie provides a notable example of a strong, capable survivor who challenges the passive damsel cliché.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks the complexity and diversity found in storytelling that reflects multiple aspects of identity.
The narrative relies heavily on traditional, homogeneous Western demographics.
The plot reinforces conventional social hierarchies rather than challenging them.

Official Synopsis

After Kansas Red rescues young Billy from a card-game shootout, the boy asks Red for help protecting his family from the outlaw Thorn, who’s just kidnapped Billy’s mother, Carol. As Red and Billy ride off to rescue Carol, they run into beautiful, tough-as-nails Leslie, who’s managed to escape Thorn’s men. The three race to stop Thorn’s wedding to Carol with guns a-blazing - but does she want to be rescued?

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