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The Stomach

Name: The Stomach
Director: Ben Steiner
Released: 2014
Duration: 15 min

Representation Score

6.2/10

Good

2014

Director

Ben Steiner

Runtime

15 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film functions primarily as a genre-driven piece of supernatural noir and body horror. The narrative structure prioritizes visceral clichés and the protagonist's professional struggles over social commentary or diverse storytelling. While the film touches on themes of bodily autonomy and physical vulnerability through its lead character, it lacks explicit markers of diverse representation. The focus remains on the mechanics of the supernatural rather than challenging conventional social hierarchies. Ultimately, the film's creative intent appears centered on the horror/thriller genre, leaving questions regarding racial, gender, and LGBTQ+ diversity unanswered by the available narrative details.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Stomach have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The story focuses on the protagonist's professional crisis and the mechanics of spirit channeling. There are no explicit LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships in the main plot.

How does The Stomach portray gender?

Fair

The story centers on Frank, a male protagonist. Other characters influence the plot, but there are no actively leading roles for women or subversions of traditional gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Stomach?

Limited

The film's racial composition and the ethnic backgrounds of its characters are not specified. Without confirmation of a diverse cast, the representation remains unverified.

How does The Stomach represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film explores mortality and the grotesque through a spirit medium lens. It focuses on supernatural elements rather than critiquing religious or state institutions.

Does The Stomach include disability representation?

Fair

Frank's method of channeling spirits puts his life at risk, suggesting physical or psychological vulnerability. It remains unclear if this represents disability with ability to act or a genre device.

Present on Screen

The protagonist's physical vulnerability offers a potential exploration of bodily autonomy and health-related narratives.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks visible representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight relationships.
There is no evidence of racial diversity or a non-Anglo-Saxon majority within the cast.
The narrative fails to establish actively leading roles for women, maintaining a male-centric focus.

Official Synopsis

Frank's had enough. A spirit medium whose unique and grotesque method of channeling the dead is putting his own life at risk, he wants out. But others, in this world and the next, have plans of their own. Part body horror, part crime thriller, part ghost story, The Stomach is a unique tale of Supernatural Noir.

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