You are here:

Wish

Name: Wish
Director: Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn
Released: 2023
Duration: 95 min

Representation Score

8.4/10

Excellent

2023

Director

Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Wish centers around a diverse female lead who actively challenges established power hierarchies. The film's narrative structure effectively dismantles the 'benevolent ruler' cliché, framing institutional control as a barrier to community well-being. While the film excels in presenting a multicultural cast and subverting gender stereotypes, it remains conservative regarding other underrepresented identities. The absence of representation for LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities limits its progressive impact. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its emphasis on decentralized power dynamics and the prioritization of communal ability to act over traditional authority.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Wish have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film adheres to conventional assumptions that everyone is straight or cisgender. It does not include explicit depictions of same-sex relationships or prominently feature characters whose gender does not match their assigned-at-birth identity.

How does Wish portray gender?

Good

Asha is a strong female character who challenges patriarchal power structures. She shows superior strategic thinking and moral courage compared to the male antagonist.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Wish?

Good

The Kingdom of Rosas showcases a visually diverse population that is not homogeneous. Character designs move away from Eurocentric defaults towards a more inclusive, globalized look.

How does Wish represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The narrative criticizes autocratic institutions by portraying the hoarding of wishes as systemic oppression. It emphasizes communal empowerment and grassroots movements over monarchy.

Does Wish include disability representation?

Fair

There is no significant or nuanced portrayal of visible or invisible disabilities. Characters are defined by their roles or magical abilities rather than neurodivergence or physical disabilities.

Present on Screen

Strong female leadership through Asha, who challenges traditional gender hierarchies and the 'damsel' stereotype.
A multicultural, non-homogeneous population that moves away from historically Eurocentric animation defaults.
A narrative focus on reclaiming communal resources from oppressive, centralized autocratic structures.

Limited or Absent

Minimal representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth characters within the narrative.
Lack of nuanced portrayals regarding physical disabilities or neurodivergence among the characters.
Reliance on conventional romantic clichés and straight-centered frameworks.

Official Synopsis

Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force – a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe - the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico - to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.

How are these scores produced? →