You are here:

The Carnivores

Name: The Carnivores
Director: Caleb Michael Johnson
Released: 2020
Duration: 77 min

Representation Score

7.8/10

Good

2020

Unrated

Director

Caleb Michael Johnson

Runtime

77 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Carnivores functions as a character-driven deconstruction of the domestic archetype. Instead of presenting a sanitized version of family life, the film explores the breakdown of stability through themes of suspicion and mental illness. While the film lacks explicit representation of queer identities or deep multi-layered politics, it succeeds in subverting traditional social structures. It replaces the 'bright little family' ideal with a more complex, psychologically driven realism. Ultimately, the work finds its strength in its willingness to treat mental health and marital dysfunction as central, rather than peripheral, narrative elements.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Carnivores have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on the relationship between Alice and Bret but does not explicitly depict LGBTQ+ identities or structures that assume everyone is straight.

How does The Carnivores portray gender?

Fair

The story disrupts traditional household clichés by focusing on marital strife and psychological erosion. It avoids idealized portrayals of partnership and stable domestic leadership.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Carnivores?

Fair

The cast includes diverse actors such as Tallie Medel and Vincent James Prendergast. However, the plot details regarding racial dynamics and ability to act remain unspecified.

How does The Carnivores represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques the sanctity of the nuclear family by framing it as a site of dread. It prioritizes psychological instability over traditional Western family ideals.

Does The Carnivores include disability representation?

Good

The narrative centers on the psychological erosion of its characters. This approach integrates mental health struggles and potential neurodivergence into the core conflict of the film.

Present on Screen

Offers a nuanced exploration of mental health and psychological instability.
Challenges traditional domestic clichés and idealized marriage structures.
Features a diverse ensemble cast including Tallie Medel and Vincent James Prendergast.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit depiction of LGBTQ+ identities or queer themes.
Provides limited detail regarding the intersection of race and character's ability to drive the story.
Does not offer clear evidence of diverse religious or cultural perspectives.

Official Synopsis

Alice and Bret's dog Harvie is dying, and he's ruining everything. What had been a bright little family is quickly getting consumed by clouds of self-doubt, suspicion and a disturbing amount of ground beef.

How are these scores produced? →