You are here:

Kicks

Name: Kicks
Director: Justin Tipping
Released: 2016
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

5.7/10

Fair

2016

Director

Justin Tipping

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Kicks is a specialized narrative that prioritizes racial and cultural authenticity over broad demographic inclusivity. By centering the ability to act and cultural specifics of Black youth, the film successfully disrupts mainstream cinematic clichés. While the film excels in its portrayal of urban identity and localized social dynamics, it remains limited in its scope regarding other demographics. The focus stays tightly within a specific masculine social ecosystem. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its intentionality toward authentic storytelling, even as it lacks significant movement in gender and LGBTQ+ representation.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Kicks have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on a typical friendship between teenage boys and does not include any LGBTQ+ character arcs or narratives that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Kicks portray gender?

Fair

The story revolves around male characters, particularly Brandon and his friends, and lacks female characters who play significant roles in driving the plot or demonstrating intellectual dominance.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Kicks?

Excellent

The film centers on Black youths in the Bay Area, giving a significant role in driving the story to characters of color and disrupting Hollywood's tendency to prioritize white experiences.

How does Kicks represent religion and culture?

Good

The story examines a nuanced moral landscape through the lens of localized survival and situational ethics, using sneaker culture to explore cultural symbols within the Black community.

Does Kicks include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the narrative.

Present on Screen

High intentionality in centering Black youth and urban minority experiences.
Authentic exploration of cultural symbols like sneaker culture.
Nuanced portrayal of localized survival and situational ethics.

Limited or Absent

Lack of female characters in positions of ability to act or dominance.
Absence of visible LGBTQ+ character arcs or narratives.
No discernible representation of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

When his hard-earned kicks get snatched by a local hood, fifteen-year old Brandon and his two best friends go on an ill-advised mission across the Bay Area to retrieve the stolen sneakers.

How are these scores produced? →