You are here:

Hippopotamus

Name: Hippopotamus
Director: Edward A Palmer
Released: 2018
Duration: 77 min

2018

Director

Edward A Palmer

Runtime

77 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Ruby wakes from a bad dream to find herself in a real life nightmare. She's trapped in a basement, her legs are broken and she can't remember who she is or how she got there. Her kidnapper, Tom, tells her she will remain captive until she falls in love with him. Ruby is focused on trying to escape until Tom starts helping her to remember her past and she begins to question everything.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

3.6/10

Limited

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The story centers on a heteronormative power dynamic between Ruby and Tom. There is no evidence of non-cisnormative identities or critiques of traditional romantic tropes.

Gender Representation

Limited

Ruby is placed in a vulnerable 'damsel in distress' role with broken legs. The power dynamic leans heavily toward a male figure who controls her environment.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Minimal

The narrative provides no specific details regarding the racial or ethnic identities of the characters. Consequently, no assessment of ethnic diversity can be made.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The film functions as a localized psychological thriller. It lacks evidence of critiques regarding Western institutions, secularism, or broader cultural morality.

Disability Representation

Fair

The protagonist suffers from broken legs, a significant physical impairment. It remains unclear if this disability provides agency or merely serves as a plot device for tension.

Strengths

The protagonist demonstrates agency through her persistent focus on escaping her captivity.

Areas for Improvement

The film relies on conventional gendered tropes of captivity and forced intimacy.
The narrative lacks representation of diverse racial, ethnic, or LGBTQ+ identities.
The protagonist's physical disability may function primarily as a plot device for tension.

AI Analysis

Hippopotamus operates within the narrow confines of traditional psychological thriller conventions. The narrative focuses almost exclusively on an intense, individualistic power struggle between two characters, prioritizing suspense over social commentary. The film relies on established tropes, such as the physically vulnerable female protagonist and the dark romantic requirement for freedom. This approach favors high-stakes interpersonal conflict over the exploration of intersectional identities or systemic social structures. Ultimately, the work lacks the breadth required to engage with diverse cultural, racial, or queer perspectives, resulting in a story that feels deeply localized and conventional.

How are these scores produced? →