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Three

Name: Three
Director: Johnnie To
Released: 2016
Duration: 88 min

Representation Score

2.7/10

Limited

2016

Not Rated

Director

Johnnie To

Runtime

88 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Johnnie To’s crime thriller centers on the erosion of family stability through deceit. The film effectively dismantles conventional masculine roles, highlighting the instability of personal identities within the family structure. However, the film lacks broader diversity. It is set in a culturally uniform Hong Kong context and does not represent LGBTQ+ identities or individuals with disabilities. Overall, the film is a character-driven exploration of situational ethics, avoiding simplistic moral judgments but limiting its scope to a specific demographic.

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Category Breakdown

Does Three have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ romantic arcs or characters with diverse gender identities. The main conflict revolves around a deceptive heterosexual relationship.

How does Three portray gender?

Fair

The film challenges typical masculine stereotypes by showing men struggling to maintain stable family lives. However, there is limited dialogue focused on female characters, which restricts their influence on the plot.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Three?

Fair

Given its local Hong Kong setting, the cast is predominantly of Chinese descent, offering a genuine portrayal of the city's culture without trying to blend Western and Asian perspectives.

How does Three represent religion and culture?

Fair

The movie delves into moral ambiguity and questions the stability of traditional family structures. It presents a nuanced ethical environment where truth is subjective.

Does Three include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no depictions of characters with physical, sensory, or cognitive differences in the main storyline.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional masculine stereotypes by depicting men as unreliable in family settings.
Provides an authentic look at a specific Hong Kong socioeconomic environment.
Presents a complex ethical landscape without resorting to simple moral lessons.

Limited or Absent

Does not include LGBTQ+ identities or romantic arcs involving queer characters.
Does not feature characters with physical, sensory, or cognitive differences.
Female characters have limited dialogue, reducing their impact on the story.

Official Synopsis

Realising that he will be defeated in no time during a police showdown, a thug shoots himself to force the cops to cease fire and take him to the hospital. In the hospital, he claims human rights to refuse immediate treatment in order to buy time for his underlings to rescue him. The detective in charge sees through his scheme but decides to play along so as to capture his whole gang once and for all.

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