You are here:

Lipstick

Name: Lipstick
Director: Ainosuke Shibata
Released: 2013
Duration: 70 min

Representation Score

4.3/10

Fair

2013

Director

Ainosuke Shibata

Runtime

70 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Lipstick is a gritty thriller that centers on women's ability to drive the story and the reclaiming of power after systemic failure. By portraying a state authority figure as a predator, the film disrupts traditional social contracts and questions the reliability of institutional justice. The narrative leans heavily into a female-driven arc of vengeance. While it avoids passive clichés, the focus remains narrow, centering on the psychological and physical autonomy of the two sisters. Ultimately, the film functions as a critique of institutional stability. It favors decentralized, individualistic retribution over systemic order, though it lacks broader representation in terms of LGBTQ+ identities or racial diversity.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Lipstick have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any visible non-straight or non-cisgender identities or queer romantic relationships. The story focuses solely on the sibling bond and the central conflict involving sexual violence.

How does Lipstick portray gender?

Good

The film emphasizes women's ability to drive the story by placing the protagonists as the main drivers of the plot. Keiko challenges the damsel in distress cliché by actively seeking justice.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Lipstick?

Minimal

The production is Japanese, but there is insufficient information about the racial makeup of the supporting cast. No specific multi-layered identities are highlighted in the narrative.

How does Lipstick represent religion and culture?

Good

The story critiques institutionalism by depicting the police as a source of trauma rather than protection. It prioritizes individual retribution over the traditional legal system.

Does Lipstick include disability representation?

Fair

The film explores the psychological impact of trauma through Arina's descent into insanity. This offers a dark look at neurodivergent responses to extreme stress.

Present on Screen

Challenges the 'damsel in distress' cliché by giving female protagonists active, aggressive roles.
Offers a dark, nuanced exploration of the psychological fracturing caused by extreme trauma.
Critiques institutional corruption by portraying state actors as sources of violence rather than protection.

Limited or Absent

Lacks any visible representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer romantic relationships.
Provides insufficient detail regarding racial diversity or multi-layered identities within the cast.
Risks using mental health and 'insanity' primarily as a plot device for trauma.

Official Synopsis

After young pop idol Arina is raped by a police officer, her pain drives her to insanity. Her sister Keiko, full of anger, won’t stop until she finds the man responsible for Arina’s downfall and make sure he feels her revenge. Keiko will make sure justice is served!

How are these scores produced? →