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Selfie Dad

Name: Selfie Dad
Director: Brad J. Silverman
Released: 2020
Duration: 97 min

Representation Score

1.2/10

Minimal

2020

Director

Brad J. Silverman

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Selfie Dad functions as a restorative narrative designed to reinforce conventional social and religious hierarchies. The protagonist's journey is not one of social disruption, but of returning to established pillars like faith and the nuclear family. The film prioritizes moral clarity and the preservation of traditional Western values, resulting in a narrative that lacks diverse representation and favors a homogeneous worldview. Ultimately, the story uses a mid-life crisis to drive a character back toward religious and domestic stability, reinforcing existing social structures rather than challenging them.

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Category Breakdown

Does Selfie Dad have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or those with non-traditional gender identities. The story revolves around a traditional nuclear family without critiquing the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Selfie Dad portray gender?

Limited

The narrative follows traditional gender roles and a male-dominated perspective. While Ben experiences a mid-life crisis, the plot focuses on restoring domestic stability rather than challenging gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Selfie Dad?

Limited

There is no mention of a diverse cast or characters reflecting multiple aspects of identity. The story centers on a single family unit that adheres to a homogeneous demographic norm.

How does Selfie Dad represent religion and culture?

Minimal

The film strongly aligns with traditional Western and religious institutions. It promotes religious morality and family cohesion as the primary sources of stability and satisfaction.

Does Selfie Dad include disability representation?

Minimal

The synopsis contains no mention of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Provides a clear, moralistic framework centered on faith and family values.
Offers a cohesive narrative arc focused on traditional social stability.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities and non-traditional gender expressions.
Shows minimal racial and ethnic diversity within the central family unit.
Fails to include characters with visible or invisible disabilities.
Relies on traditional gender roles rather than exploring diverse perspectives.

Official Synopsis

Spiraling into a mid-life crisis and feeling disconnected from his family, Ben Marcus, a reality-TV editor, thinks he can only be happy by fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional comedian. Ben posts his stand-up routines to YouTube, and the videos fall flat. Then his tweener son posts Ben miserably failing on a home improvement project, and much to his teenage daughter’s dismay, it goes viral, launching Ben's social-media career as Selfie Dad. Although he quickly becomes an award-winning phenom, no amount of success brings Ben satisfaction. Through his friendship with a young coworker, Mickey, Ben finds the secret to a happy family . . . with his Bible in one hand, and his phone in the other.

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