You are here:

Wishing Apple

Name: Wishing Apple
Director: Jack Stauber
Released: 2019
Duration: 2 min

Representation Score

6.6/10

Good

2019

Director

Jack Stauber

Runtime

2 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Jack Stauber’s *Wishing Apple* operates through a lens of surreal abstraction rather than social realism. By using non-humanoid, distorted characters, the film avoids traditional identity politics. While it doesn't promote stereotypes, it also doesn't offer specific character's ability to drive the story needed for meaningful representation. The work functions as a postmodernist exercise in sensory disruption. It succeeds in deconstructing social hierarchies by refusing to use human forms, yet this same abstraction prevents it from engaging with specific cultural or racial identities. Ultimately, the film sits in a neutral space. It is neither regressive nor actively inclusive, instead prioritizing existential themes and psychological fragmentation over the representation of human social dynamics.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Wishing Apple have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film uses non-humanoid, distorted entities instead of traditional characters, avoiding typical LGBTQ+ clichés. However, it doesn't show explicit representations of queer identities or same-sex relationships.

How does Wishing Apple portray gender?

Fair

By using non-humanoid forms, the film avoids reinforcing traditional gender roles. The fluid, changing entities challenge binary gender views, but the characters don’t have much control over their actions.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Wishing Apple?

Limited

The stylized, non-humanoid animation makes it impossible to identify characters based on race or ethnicity. The abstract nature of the work means human racial diversity isn't relevant here.

How does Wishing Apple represent religion and culture?

Good

The film focuses on secular, psychological themes rather than religious or cultural ones. Its exploration of the body and the grotesque challenges traditional Western ideas of order.

Does Wishing Apple include disability representation?

Fair

The film uses body horror and psychological fragmentation as metaphors for neurodivergence and sensory issues. However, it treats these elements as stylistic tools rather than as character studies.

Present on Screen

Avoids traditional gender roles by using fluid, non-humanoid forms.
Challenges conventional Western ideals of order through its postmodernist, dreamlike logic.

Limited or Absent

Doesn't explicitly represent non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities or queer intimacy.
Doesn't provide specific ability to act to characters that could represent disability or neurodivergence.
Abstract aesthetic makes racial and ethnic diversity inapplicable and undefined.

Official Synopsis

Magic apples doing magic things.

How are these scores produced? →