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A Song from the Dark

Name: A Song from the Dark
Director: Ogodinife Okpue
Released: 2023
Duration: 105 min

Representation Score

6.4/10

Good

2023

Director

Ogodinife Okpue

Runtime

105 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

A Song from the Dark breaks away from traditional horror conventions by centering a Nigerian Shaman in a Western setting. This choice effectively shifts the focus away from the typical Anglo-centric perspective, replacing standard clichés with non-Western spiritual frameworks. The film's strength lies in its multi-layered approach, where cultural identity and specialized expertise are central to the conflict. By placing a female lead in a position of intellectual and spiritual authority, the story avoids conventional gender hierarchies. However, the narrative lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and disability. While the cultural and racial elements are strong, the absence of these other dimensions limits the film's overall breadth of inclusion.

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Category Breakdown

Does A Song from the Dark have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not explicitly depict LGBTQ+ identities or relationships that go beyond the assumption that everyone is straight.

How does A Song from the Dark portray gender?

Good

Ashionye is a strong female character who holds specialized spiritual authority. Her role in driving the plot maintains a balance with her professional partner.

How racially and ethnically diverse is A Song from the Dark?

Excellent

The film stands out by featuring a Nigerian protagonist in a South of England setting. This challenges typical Anglo-centric horror clichés by focusing on a non-white lead with significant influence.

How does A Song from the Dark represent religion and culture?

Excellent

Nigerian Shamanism forms the narrative structure, moving beyond simple good-versus-evil binaries to a nuanced understanding of the supernatural rooted in cultural specificity.

Does A Song from the Dark include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no visible or mentioned representation of physical, neurodivergent, or mental health disabilities within the provided narrative.

Present on Screen

Excellent racial representation through a Nigerian protagonist in a Western setting.
Strong female character with significant influence, centering a woman in a position of spiritual authority.
Sophisticated use of non-Western spiritualism and Nigerian Shamanism to drive the plot.

Limited or Absent

Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ identities or relationships that go beyond the assumption that everyone is straight.
No visible or mentioned representation of physical, neurodivergent, or mental health disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Ashionye, a reluctant Nigerian Shaman living in the south of England, who has been hired by an old family friend, Isioma Williams, to investigate and expel a malevolent spirit that has been tormenting her family after the death of her estranged husband, Magnus. To the chagrin of her demon hunting partner, Marv Taylor, Ashionye reluctantly accepts the job as a way to repay an old debt she owes Isioma. As Ashionye digs deeper into Isioma’s family situation, she finds herself standing against a familiar force that brought about her trauma since childhood.

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