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The Devil We Know

The Devil We Know

2018

Director

Stephanie Soechtig

Runtime

88 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Unraveling one of the biggest environmental scandals of our time, a group of citizens in West Virginia take on a powerful corporation after they discover it has knowingly been dumping a toxic chemical — now found in the blood of 99.7% of Americans — into the local drinking water supply.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

5.7/10

Fair


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film lacks explicit LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. It prioritizes the collective struggle of a geographic community over identity-specific storytelling.

Gender Representation

Fair

The narrative centers on a grassroots movement of citizens. This focus suggests a disruption of traditional patriarchal hierarchies by empowering community-based actors.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The film focuses on a specific socio-economic demographic in West Virginia. The narrative framework highlights the disproportionate impact of pollution on working-class populations.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The documentary critiques late-stage capitalism and institutional corruption. It emphasizes individual agency against a systemic antagonist that prioritizes profit over human life.

Disability Representation

Fair

The subject matter of toxic chemical exposure inherently touches upon physical health and chronic illness. The narrative treats physical vulnerability as a central plot driver.

Strengths

  • Strong critique of late-stage capitalism and institutional corruption.
  • Empowers community agency against powerful corporate structures.
  • Highlights the systemic failures of industrial institutions.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks explicit engagement with LGBTQ+ narratives.
  • Provides limited visibility into specific racial or ethnic identities.
  • Does not explicitly center disability through a lens of agency.

AI Analysis

The Devil We Know is an investigative documentary that prioritizes systemic critique over demographic-centric representation. It functions primarily as a challenge to industrial hegemony and corporate ethics. While the film lacks explicit intersectional identity markers like LGBTQ+ narratives, it finds strength in its progressive social critique. The focus remains on the friction between marginalized communities and centralized power structures. The score reflects a work driven by ideology and environmental justice rather than a diverse array of specific identity-based character arcs.

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