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SIGNAL: The Movie – Cold Case Investigation Unit

Name: SIGNAL: The Movie – Cold Case Investigation Unit
Director: Hajime Hashimoto
Released: 2021
Duration: 122 min

Representation Score

6.2/10

Good

2021

Director

Hajime Hashimoto

Runtime

122 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

SIGNAL: The Movie – Cold Case Investigation Unit is a high-stakes procedural that finds its strength in challenging traditional police hierarchies. By placing a female character in a position of intellectual authority, the film disrupts conventional gender roles. However, the film remains largely within the bounds of traditional demographic casting. It lacks explicit representation or character arcs that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender. While the narrative provides a compelling critique of state institutions and official truths, it does not offer significant representation for LGBTQ+ or racially diverse identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does SIGNAL: The Movie – Cold Case Investigation Unit have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include explicit LGBTQ+ characters or relationships that challenge the idea that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does SIGNAL: The Movie – Cold Case Investigation Unit portray gender?

Fair

Misaki Sakurai breaks traditional gender roles by serving as a team leader with high-level command. She plays a significant role in driving the story rather than being a supporting figure.

How racially and ethnically diverse is SIGNAL: The Movie – Cold Case Investigation Unit?

Limited

The story takes place in a culturally homogeneous Japanese setting. It reflects specific demographic realities without relying on racial stereotypes or significant racial blending.

How does SIGNAL: The Movie – Cold Case Investigation Unit represent religion and culture?

Good

The film offers a sophisticated critique of institutional power. It explores skepticism toward official state narratives and the potential corruption within government structures.

Does SIGNAL: The Movie – Cold Case Investigation Unit include disability representation?

Fair

There is no explicit evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The score remains conservative due to a lack of characters exercising ability to act through disability.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender hierarchies by positioning a female character in a high-level leadership role.
Provides a sophisticated critique of institutional power and official state narratives.
Focuses on complex, non-linear narrative structures and systemic investigations.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit LGBTQ+ representation or character arcs that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.
Maintains a culturally homogeneous cast with limited racial or ethnic diversity.
Provides no clear evidence of characters with disabilities exercising ability to act.

Official Synopsis

The story continues from the Japanese SIGNAL drama series. In 2021, a limousine taxi driver causes an accident on a highway, and a high-level government official dies in the accident. The cold case investigation unit, including Kento Saegusa and team leader Misaki Sakurai, have doubts about the case. Meanwhile, in 2009, administrative officers die consecutively in car accidents. The police announce these deaths as accidents. Takeshi Ōyama believes that these deaths were not the product of simple accidents. At 11:23 pm, a walkie-talkie turns on and makes a connection between the future and past. Kento Saegusa and Takeshi Ōyama face the threat of bioterrorism.

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