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*batteries not included

Name: *batteries not included
Director: Matthew Robbins
Released: 1987
Duration: 107 min

Representation Score

7.4/10

Good

1987

Director

Matthew Robbins

Runtime

107 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Batteries Not Included stands out for its anti-capitalist perspective, using sentient machines to protect a underrepresented, multicultural working-class community from corporate displacement. The film successfully disrupts traditional power dynamics by centering the human struggle on a female protagonist and a diverse community. However, the film lacks contemporary multi-layered depth. It provides almost no representation for LGBTQ+ identities or characters with disabilities, remaining rooted in the social norms of its era. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its social commentary. It elevates a domestic struggle into a larger resistance against institutional corruption and the corrosive effects of unchecked expansion.

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Category Breakdown

Does *batteries not included have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or relationships that go beyond the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender. It follows the conventional norms of the 1980s.

How does *batteries not included portray gender?

Good

Claudia, a widow, serves as the film's moral compass and primary driver of the narrative. She challenges traditional expectations by taking control of her life rather than being a passive figure.

How racially and ethnically diverse is *batteries not included?

Fair

The urban Chicago setting showcases a multicultural tapestry of working-class residents. This diverse community avoids a uniform depiction, highlighting the systemic pressures faced by different groups.

How does *batteries not included represent religion and culture?

Good

The story critiques predatory urban redevelopment and corporate greed. It emphasizes the importance of preserving communal spaces against the destabilizing forces of late-stage capitalism.

Does *batteries not included include disability representation?

Limited

The film does not focus on visible or invisible disabilities. Characters are defined by their socioeconomic status rather than by any neurodivergence or physical disabilities.

Present on Screen

The film features a strong, ability to act-driven female protagonist who leads the community's resistance.
The urban setting provides a rich, multicultural depiction of a working-class community.
The narrative offers a meaningful critique of corporate greed and systemic urban displacement.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks any meaningful representation of LGBTQ+ characters or identities.
There is a notable absence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.
The social framework remains limited by the norms of the 1980s.

Official Synopsis

In a soon to be demolished block of apartments, the residents resist the criminal methods used to force them to leave so a greedy tycoon can build his new skyscraper. When tiny mechanical aliens land for a recharge, they decide to stay and help out.

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