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The Dark

Name: The Dark
Director: Justin P. Lange
Released: 2018
Duration: 95 min

Representation Score

5.5/10

Fair

2018

Director

Justin P. Lange

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Dark shifts the horror focus from traditional monsters to a complex study of a female protagonist reclaiming her humanity. By centering an undead girl who chooses mercy, the film challenges the passive female victim cliché common in the genre. However, the narrative lacks explicit representation regarding LGBTQ+ identities and racial diversity. The focus remains tightly locked on the psychological impact of trauma and the relationship between the supernatural entity and the child. Ultimately, the film succeeds in subverting moral hierarchies, even if it lacks a broad spectrum of multi-layered identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Dark have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The story focuses on the bond between a supernatural entity and a child. There is no visible evidence of LGBTQ+ identities or dynamics that assume everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does The Dark portray gender?

Fair

The film challenges typical horror clichés by centering a female figure who play a significant role in driving the story. The undead girl acts as a powerful, morally complex driver of the plot.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Dark?

Minimal

The narrative setting in remote woods provides no specific details regarding the racial or ethnic identities of the characters. Information is insufficient for a definitive score.

How does The Dark represent religion and culture?

Good

The film moves beyond simple good versus evil binaries. It explores moral relativism and the deconstruction of the monster archetype through the lens of trauma.

Does The Dark include disability representation?

Fair

Themes of psychological and physical vulnerability are present through the character of the abused boy. It remains unclear if this serves as a nuanced character study.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender hierarchies by giving the female protagonist a leading role in driving the story
Explores complex, non-binary morality through a powerful female character
Examines deep themes of systemic victimization and the psychological impact of trauma

Limited or Absent

Lacks visible representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight relationships
Provides no specific information regarding the racial or ethnic identities of the characters
Portrayal of vulnerability in the child character may rely on traditional horror clichés

Official Synopsis

A murderous, flesh-eating undead young girl haunting the remote stretch of woods where she was murdered decades earlier, discovers a kidnapped and abused boy hiding in the trunk of one of her victim’s cars. Her decision to let the boy live throws her aggressively solitary existence into upheaval, and ultimately forces her to re-examine just how much of her humanity her murderer was able to destroy.

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