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The Decline

Name: The Decline
Director: Patrice Laliberté
Released: 2020
Duration: 83 min

Representation Score

3.7/10

Limited

2020

TV-MA

Director

Patrice Laliberté

Runtime

83 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Decline is a psychological study that focuses on breaking down traditional family structures. It challenges the idea of the strong male protector by showing him as vulnerable and ineffective. However, the film remains focused on a narrow, localized perspective. The setting and cast are very similar, reflecting a specific local reality. This lack of diverse casting limits the film's scope, focusing on the breakdown of a single family unit. Overall, the film critiques the stability of Western homes while lacking representation across many identity markers.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Decline have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories. It focuses solely on a traditional family breaking down.

How does The Decline portray gender?

Fair

The movie challenges traditional gender roles by showing the male lead losing his role as a protector. His psychological decline undermines the idea of strong, competent men.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Decline?

Limited

The cast and setting are very homogeneous, reflecting a Québécois demographic. There is no attempt to blend races or use color-blind casting.

How does The Decline represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film questions the stability of Western family structures by showing a home as a place of turmoil. It explores moral ambiguity through the main character's unstable state.

Does The Decline include disability representation?

Limited

The film explores mental health through a character's total psychological collapse, serving the thriller genre rather than offering a nuanced look at neurodivergence.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by showing the male lead losing his protective role.
Offers a deep, psychological look at the breakdown of domestic order.

Limited or Absent

Does not include racial and ethnic diversity, maintaining a highly homogeneous cast.
Lacks LGBTQ+ characters and non-straight-centered perspectives.
Uses mental health primarily as a plot device for tension without providing nuanced looks at neurodivergence.

Official Synopsis

Anticipating a disaster, Antoine, a father, attends a survivalist training given by Alain in his autonomous hideout. In fear of a natural, economic or social crisis, the group trains to face the different possible apocalyptic scenarios. But the disaster they will experience will not be the one they predicted.

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