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Pledges

Name: Pledges
Director: D.J. Red
Released: 2018
Duration: 77 min

Representation Score

1.7/10

Minimal

2018

Director

D.J. Red

Runtime

77 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Pledges is a conventional horror-comedy that relies heavily on established genre archetypes. The central conflict revolves around a 'boys versus girls' competition, reinforcing traditional gender binaries rather than challenging them. The film explores the volatility of social initiations and groupthink through a collegiate hazing ritual, but it lacks the complexity needed to disrupt systemic hierarchies or offer a nuanced perspective on identity. Ultimately, the work prioritizes standard slasher clichés and social competition over a deeper exploration of diverse lived experiences.

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Category Breakdown

Does Pledges have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on a competition between boys and girls, but there are no queer narratives or representations of non-cisgender identities.

How does Pledges portray gender?

Fair

The story relies on traditional gender binaries and physical vulnerability, using common clichés found in the slasher genre.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Pledges?

Minimal

The available information provides no details regarding the racial or ethnic composition of the cast. No assessment can be made regarding the diversity of the ensemble.

How does Pledges represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story centers on collegiate hazing and social hierarchies, following standard Western horror clichés without critiquing cultural institutions.

Does Pledges include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative does not include characters with visible or invisible disabilities, nor does it address disability representation.

Present on Screen

The film explores themes of groupthink and institutional dysfunction through its depiction of collegiate hazing rituals.

Limited or Absent

The reliance on a binary gender competition limits the potential for more complex, non-traditional character dynamics.
The narrative lacks evidence of queer representation or non-cisgender identities.
The story follows standard Western horror clichés instead of deconstructing social or cultural institutions.

Official Synopsis

Tied up, blindfolded, and left in the woods in nothing but their underwear as part of a Hell Week initiation, six college-aged pledges are tasked with setting up camp. Broken up into two teams, boys versus girls, they must complete a number of extreme hazing rituals set up by their hosts - who happen to be watching their every move through camera-equipped glasses. Both hazers and hazees become victims when a mysterious force that haunts the forest begins to prey upon the participants one by one.

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