You are here:

American Boy

Name: American Boy
Director: Maxime Renard
Released: 2023
Duration: 23 min

Representation Score

3.6/10

Limited

2023

Director

Maxime Renard

Runtime

23 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

American Boy is a character-driven exploration of the pursuit of social validation. It uses the pretense of Western education to examine how communal expectations shape individual identity. The film highlights the tension between local realities and the perceived prestige of the American Dream. However, the narrative is limited in scope, lacking representation for LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does American Boy have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any explicit representations of same-sex relationships or non-cisgender identities. It also does not give significant roles to LGBTQ+ characters.

How does American Boy portray gender?

Fair

The story focuses on a male protagonist and his social status. It does not challenge traditional gender roles or offer a deeper look into masculinity.

How racially and ethnically diverse is American Boy?

Good

Malik is portrayed as a symbol of hope for his community, highlighting ethnic identity. The plot delves into the social dynamics of underrepresented neighborhoods.

How does American Boy represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative questions the performance of Western success. It examines the pressure to conform to American ideals to gain social status.

Does American Boy include disability representation?

Minimal

The story does not mention any characters with visible or invisible disabilities. It also does not address mental health conditions or neurodivergence.

Present on Screen

Examines the social dynamics and pride within underrepresented ethnic communities.
Questions the systemic pressure to adopt Western ideals for social mobility.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and non-cisgender characters.
Does not provide visibility for characters with disabilities or neurodivergence.
Does not challenge or deconstruct traditional gender hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

Malik spends his days trying to get attention from others with empty, boring chats. One day, he catches the attention of one guy with a lie, saying that he's going to the US to study cinema. The news quickly goes around the neighborhood and Malik suddenly becomes everyones’s hope and pride.

How are these scores produced? →