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13 Demons

Name: 13 Demons
Director: Daniel Falicki
Released: 2016
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

3.7/10

Limited

2016

Director

Daniel Falicki

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

13 Demons is a genre-driven supernatural thriller that prioritizes plot mechanics and suspense over nuanced social commentary. The narrative follows a group of young adults whose interaction with a medieval artifact leads to a descent into violence and delusion. The film adheres to traditional genre conventions, using established archetypes without challenging identity hierarchies. Characters primarily serve as conduits for horror elements. Since the creative direction does not intentionally disrupt identity or systemic power dynamics, the film remains within a lower tier of the diversity spectrum.

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Category Breakdown

Does 13 Demons have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-cisgender identities. The story centers around a group of friends and their shared psychological experience.

How does 13 Demons portray gender?

Limited

The story heavily emphasizes traditional masculine roles and male-dominated dynamics. Female characters do not have significant influence or control over the plot.

How racially and ethnically diverse is 13 Demons?

Limited

The cast appears to be fairly homogeneous, with limited exploration of diverse racial backgrounds. The setting and characters align with typical horror clichés.

How does 13 Demons represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film explores themes of morality and delusion through a 'holy mission' storyline. However, it does not critically examine religious or institutional structures.

Does 13 Demons include disability representation?

Limited

There is no representation of visible or invisible disabilities, and psychological changes are portrayed as supernatural possession rather than neurodivergence.

Present on Screen

The film effectively uses the 'game-turned-reality' cliché to create supernatural suspense.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks racial diversity and varied casting.
The story relies on traditional masculine archetypes and lacks female influence.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or neurodivergence.

Official Synopsis

Gary, and his friends who are into gaming, renaissance fairs and various unsavory vices, stumble across a rare, medieval board game called "13 Demons." They discover the game has a dark history and was banned from most countries long ago for strange and mysterious reasons including unexplained deaths attributed to the game. The object is to free the Realm of Darkhaven from the 13 Demons of the Apocalypse. They chalk it up to urban legend and decide to play, what they don't know is that the 13 Demons presently walk the Earth disguised as humans. Slowly, the game consumes them, seducing them into believing they are "The Golden Paladins," and are on a holy mission to save the world. But when the news reveals a number of local deaths caused by tree branches, baseball bats, hammers, etc. from assailants adorned in body armor, the thin line between reality and fantasy is shattered and the horrific realization that they are in way over their heads sets in.

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