1 Out of 7
2012
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 5.5 out of 10
You are here:
Find another title
Type to search for movies. Use arrow keys to navigate suggestions, Enter to select, Escape to close.
Hard Surfaces
2017
TV-MADirector
Zach Brown
Runtime
89 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
A renowned photographer, Adrian's unique style of shooting drug addicts has made him a local-celebrity. But there is a problem; life imitates art as Adrian parties hard with trophy-girlfriend Liz to drown out a painful past. When his sister suddenly dies, leaving him sole guardian of her 9-year-old daughter, Adrian must face his deepest secrets.
Where to Watch
Diversity & Representation
Overall Score
4.0/10
Fair
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film focuses on a central romantic pairing between Adrian and Liz. There is no explicit evidence of LGBTQ+ characters or non-heteronormative identities within the narrative.
Gender Representation
The story centers on a male protagonist, but it hints at subverting gender roles. Adrian's transition into a caretaking role for his niece disrupts traditional masculine stoicism.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The synopsis lacks any indication of a diverse or non-Anglo-Saxon cast. There is no evidence of non-white characters driving the central plot.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The film explores moral relativism and the critique of Western social structures. It uses substance use and addiction to examine complex, subjective human dysfunction.
Disability Representation
Themes of addiction suggest a focus on mental health and behavioral struggles. However, it remains unclear if these elements provide character agency or serve as mere plot devices.
Strengths
- Challenges traditional masculine archetypes through the protagonist's shift into a domestic caretaking role.
- Explores complex themes of moral relativism and the subjective nature of human dysfunction.
- Provides a nuanced look at how personal trauma influences social behavior and substance use.
Areas for Improvement
- Lacks visible racial and ethnic diversity within the ensemble cast.
- Provides no representation for LGBTQ+ identities or non-heteronormative characters.
- Fails to explicitly address neurodivergence or physical disabilities beyond the lens of addiction.
AI Analysis
Hard Surfaces is a psychological drama that prioritizes individualistic character studies over broad demographic representation. While it avoids simple moralizing, the narrative remains narrow in its scope. The film offers some depth by challenging conventional masculinity through Adrian's sudden responsibility as a guardian. It also engages with the complexities of addiction and trauma rather than presenting a sanitized view of life. Ultimately, the film lacks intersectional breadth. The absence of racial diversity and LGBTQ+ identities keeps the narrative centered on a very specific, limited social perspective.
Similar Movies
Beauty Mark
2017
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 5.7 out of 10
The Boy Next Door
2008
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 5.9 out of 10
Lap Dance
2014
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 4.8 out of 10
Diane
2019
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 4.6 out of 10
The Best of All Worlds
2017
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 4.9 out of 10
Dummy
2009
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 5.0 out of 10
9 Days Awake
2020
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 4.2 out of 10
Up Among the Stars
2018
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 4.9 out of 10
Tonio
2016
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 4.8 out of 10
Anima Bella
2022
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 4.5 out of 10
Oslo, August 31st
2011
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 4.4 out of 10
Rate this Movie
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!
Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.