You are here:

The Reverend

Name: The Reverend
Director: Neil Jones
Released: 2011
Duration: 98 min

Representation Score

3.4/10

Limited

2011

Director

Neil Jones

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film functions as a conventional horror piece, relying heavily on established genre clichés and theological motifs. The narrative is driven by a singular male protagonist, limiting the scope for diverse perspectives or multi-layered representation. Representation is largely absent, focusing on a supernatural conflict between divine and adversarial forces within a homogeneous, traditional social structure. The film prioritizes supernatural clichés over social commentary, resulting in a narrow narrative lens that lacks meaningful diversity.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Reverend have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ romantic relationships or non-cisgender identities. It centers around the protagonist's struggle with vampirism within a traditional framework that assumes everyone is straight and cisgender.

How does The Reverend portray gender?

Limited

The film follows a traditional gender hierarchy, with the male Reverend being the main driver of the plot. Female characters like Tracy act as catalysts for male-driven action rather than having independent roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Reverend?

Limited

The setting and cast suggest a homogeneous society with no visible non-white or non-Anglo-Saxon representation. The village setting appears to reflect a uniform cultural background.

How does The Reverend represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story incorporates Christian theological concepts through a retelling of the Book of Job. It leans on traditional morality without challenging religious institutions.

Does The Reverend include disability representation?

Minimal

The protagonist's vampirism is treated as a typical supernatural condition. The film does not explore disability or neurodivergence in a nuanced manner.

Present on Screen

Engages with established religious themes and theological motifs.
Uses classic horror archetypes to drive the supernatural conflict.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of non-cisgender identities or multi-layered stories.
Depends on traditional gender hierarchies where women are catalysts for male action.
Does not offer diverse racial or ethnic perspectives within the setting.
Treats physical transformation as a genre cliché rather than exploring disability.

Official Synopsis

Fresh from seminary school, a new Reverend embarks on his first parish: A small, low-maintenance chapel based in the idyllic setting of a quiet country village. While on the surface the village seems to be a peaceful parish, with perfect residents, soon it becomes apparent that something more sinister lurks beneath the façade of a local businessman. On a wet, cold night, a mysterious girl visits the Reverend at the chapel. She is welcomed in warmly, but soon it becomes apparent that her visit is not for sanctuary but to deliver a message, a message in the form of a deep, bloody bite... Awoken with an unknown, uncontrollable thirst, the confused Reverend can't find any evidence of the girl from the night before. With nothing but his thirst and memory of the bite, the Reverend embarks on a mandate to clean up the village and the neighboring estate...by preaching or feasting.

How are these scores produced? →