You are here:

Kingdom

Name: Kingdom
Director: Shinsuke Sato
Released: 2019
Duration: 133 min

Representation Score

4.1/10

Fair

2019

Director

Shinsuke Sato

Runtime

133 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Kingdom is a historical martial epic that prioritizes the classic hero's journey and historical accuracy. It excels in its commitment to an East Asian setting, using a cast that reflects the Qin Dynasty era. This provides a strong representation of non-Western historical narratives. However, the film remains anchored in traditional, patriarchal hierarchies. The narrative focuses heavily on masculine military bonds and physical combat, leaving little room for diverse identity explorations or contemporary social critiques. Ultimately, the film's most significant contribution to diversity is its portrayal of socioeconomic mobility. It effectively shows characters rising from the status of war orphans and slaves to soldiers, challenging the notion that birth determines destiny.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Kingdom have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-traditional sexual or gender identities. The interpersonal relationships center around traditional masculine bonds within a military context.

How does Kingdom portray gender?

Fair

The cast is predominantly male, emphasizing masculine experiences during wartime. Characters such as Kyou Kai demonstrate strong ability to act and martial skills that contrast with passive female roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Kingdom?

Excellent

The film features a largely East Asian cast set in the Qin Dynasty period. It avoids a Western-centric perspective by focusing on the internal complexities of this civilization.

How does Kingdom represent religion and culture?

Limited

The narrative highlights traditional values like statecraft and military discipline. It portrays the unification of China as a noble goal rooted in ancient social and political structures.

Does Kingdom include disability representation?

Minimal

The story emphasizes physical strength and martial abilities. While characters have survived war traumas, there is no central focus on neurodivergence or visible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Strong commitment to East Asian historical authenticity through casting and setting.
Effective depiction of socioeconomic mobility and the challenge to rigid social castes.
Avoids a Western-centric perspective by focusing on internal historical complexities.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-traditional dynamics.
The narrative is heavily male-centric, focusing primarily on masculine military experiences.
Provides minimal focus on neurodivergence or visible/invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Set in Qin Dynasty during the warring states period in ancient China. Shin was a war orphan. He has a dream of becoming a great general Shin has a fateful encounter with young King Eisei. King Eisei aims to unify all of China.

How are these scores produced? →