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To Kill the Beast

To Kill the Beast

Representation Score

6.5/10

Good

2021

Director

Agustina San Martín

Runtime

89 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

To Kill the Beast stands out by focusing on a female protagonist's psychological and sexual awakening within a non-Western landscape. By positioning Emilia as a strong, active character, the film challenges typical thriller clichés that often sideline women. The setting at the Argentina-Brazil border provides a departure from Western urban norms, grounding the mystery in a complex South American context. While the film excels in exploring character-driven ability to act and identity, it lacks specific information regarding disability representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does To Kill the Beast have LGBTQ+ representation?

Good

The film focuses on Emilia's journey of discovering her sexuality. This emphasis on identity and desire helps break down the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender, which is common in the mystery genre.

How does To Kill the Beast portray gender?

Good

Emilia is a strong, active main character rather than a passive figure. The story highlights her personal growth and intellectual development instead of traditional masculine archetypes of strength.

How racially and ethnically diverse is To Kill the Beast?

Good

Set at the Argentina-Brazil border, the film moves away from stories centered around white characters. The jungle setting creates a complex, post-colonial environment that showcases a diverse South American population.

How does To Kill the Beast represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative avoids traditional moral binaries by presenting the beast as a symbol of trauma. It emphasizes a personal, transformative journey over established social or religious norms.

Does To Kill the Beast include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no explicit evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the narrative.

Present on Screen

  • Strong female protagonist who actively drives the plot and confronts her past.
  • Nuanced exploration of identity and sexual awakening within a mystery framework.
  • Non-Western setting that moves the story away from Anglo-centric storytelling norms.

Limited or Absent

  • Lack of visible representation or information regarding physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
  • Limited specific details about the racial and ethnic casting within the South American setting.

Official Synopsis

Emilia arrives at her Aunt Ines’ hostel at the Argentina-Brazil border looking for her long lost brother. In this luxuriant jungle, a dangerous beast believed to be the spirit of an evil man taking the form of different animals seems to be roaming around. On a journey to sexual awakening, Emilia will have to confront her past in order to kill the beast.

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