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Good Kids

Name: Good Kids
Director: Chris McCoy
Released: 2016
Duration: 86 min

Representation Score

5.4/10

Fair

2016

Director

Chris McCoy

Runtime

86 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Good Kids offers a refreshing take on the academic achiever archetype by presenting a diverse group of students with significant roles in driving the story. Rather than relying on stereotypes of underrepresented students, the film places characters from various backgrounds into prestigious academic contexts like MIT and Stanford. The film succeeds in diversifying the social outsider cliché, focusing on intellectual competence and global connectivity. However, it remains somewhat tethered to conventional romantic clichés and heterosexual structures. While it avoids the 'party girl' clichés through Nora's characterization, the narrative lacks explicit LGBTQ+ representation and does not address disability, keeping its social commentary within a relatively safe, mid-range territory.

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Category Breakdown

Does Good Kids have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The story focuses on heterosexual romantic interests, such as Nora's crush on a colleague. There is no explicit depiction of LGBTQ+ identities or subplots centered around non-straight relationships.

How does Good Kids portray gender?

Fair

Nora provides a strong counter-narrative to typical teen comedy clichés through her intellectual pursuits in ichthyology. Her significant role in driving the story offers a glimpse of female competence within the coming-of-age framework.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Good Kids?

Good

The ensemble includes diverse actors like Mateo Arias and Israel Broussard in central roles. The narrative also connects characters to global contexts, such as a relationship with a pen pal in India.

How does Good Kids represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film critiques exclusionary social hierarchies by focusing on students left out of traditional milestones. It explores the transition from institutionalized education to individualistic self-discovery and rebellion.

Does Good Kids include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no significant evidence regarding the portrayal of visible or invisible disabilities within the character descriptions or plot.

Present on Screen

Presents a diverse group of high-impact, intelligent students.
Avoids common gender clichés by centering female intellectual competence through Nora.
Incorporates diverse ethnic identities into central, high-achieving roles.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or subplots centered around non-straight relationships.
Provides no visible or invisible disability representation within the narrative.
Relies heavily on conventional heterosexual romantic clichés.

Official Synopsis

Four high school students look to redefine themselves after graduation.

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