Film Reviews

'Don't Worry Darling' Review: 'Get Out' But For White Women

Essentially 'Get Out' but for white women, 'Don't Worry Darling' has strong material with its twist reveal, but the writing and directing falter trying to execute it.

First Kill’s Cancellation Is a Major Loss for Lesbian and Black Representation

Although the budget was a dollar and a dream, Netflix's 'First Kill' managed to gain over 90 million viewing hours and a small cult following. So why was it canceled? 

'Never Have I Ever' Season 3 Somewhat Hurts Its Marginalized Characters

Never Have I Ever season 3 is charming and hilarious as it has been in past seasons and still sports a diverse ensemble cast. However, the show doesn’t always treat its marginalized characters that well.

'Bullet Train' Review: Stereotypes Galore!

'Not Okay' Review: A Perfect Companion Piece to ‘Nope’

While it initially sounds nothing like 'Nope,' the focus on recording/sharing everything—especially trauma—for profit makes Hulu's 'Not Okay' similar to Jordan Peele’s newest movie. 

'Mr. Malcolm's List' Is A Lighter Version of 'Bridgerton'

Mr. Malcolm's List is a pleasant promenade through a fantasy Regency-era England filled with people of color. For fans of Bridgerton, this is the PG version of the show.

'Ms. Marvel' Season 1 Review: Marvelous Muslim Representation in Mainstream Media

It’s not often in America that you turn on the TV and see a show or a movie with a Muslim protagonist. And when they do, they're usually a negative stereotype. Ms. Marvel changes all of that.

‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Review: Not Marvel’s Gayest Movie Ever

Taika Waititi and the cast of Thor: Love and Thunder have been hyping up the gayness of this movie, and while there are queer characters, it's not quite the representation we were hoping for.

'Stranger Things' Season 4 Volume 2 Review

Clocking in at about four hours, Stranger Things season 4 volume 2 is the length of a double feature. Despite the length and the hype, the finale still falls short of expectations thanks to poor pacing, poor character choices, and poor diverse storytelling.

'Umbrella Academy' Season 3 Does Justice to Its Marginalized Characters

In season 3 of 'Umbrella Academy', Diego, Allison, and Viktor finally get character arcs that address their unique experiences as a Latino man, a Black woman who lived through the 60s, and a trans man.

'Love, Victor' Season 3 Review: Disney+ Means More Disney Fluff

This Pride month, Hulu’s 'Love, Victor' comes to a close with its third and final season—it’s most complicated yet sweetest season yet.

'Morbius' Uses Vampirism as a Queer Allegory

After two months of refusing to see this movie, I have decided that it’s finally Morbin’ time. After its re-release as a box office bomb; I watched it just to laugh at it. But, I was also surprised, because 'Morbius' is a queer allegory.

'Stranger Things' Season 4 Volume 1 Review

Stranger Things season 4 ups the ante to the max! The show’s scope has been expanding for the past three seasons, and boy do they give us a spectacle to behold. As much as I love spectacle, this season occasionally buckles under the weight of its own ambition.

Reclaiming Wanda for the Women: The Female Gaze in 'Multiverse of Madness'

The most divisive character in Multiverse of Madness is undoubtedly Wanda Maximoff. Is she good or evil? Is she "unlikeable?" I'm tired of the debate. I love Wanda because she's for us—she's for the women.

‘Stardust’: Charlie Cox Shines in a Quirky but Cute Fantasy Romance

Given that Charlie Cox is having a moment with the rise in interest in 'Daredevil,' let's return to one of his earlier movies: the fantasy romance 'Stardust' where he shines amidst a slew of characters, from a stereotypical witch to a crossdressing pirate.

The "Daredevil" renaissance is finally upon us! As we return to the Netflix show, let's take a look at the ways the show gets blindness right and wrong.

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Is a Love Letter to the Fans

"Spider-Man: No Way Home" isn’t just a movie; it’s an experience. It's one of the best superhero movies thanks to the amazing writing, the fantastic performances from the actors, and a healthy helping of fan service.

In episode 4 of "Hawkeye," things are getting real, from a mystery surrounding a Rolex watch to hints at a certain "big guy" to the reveal of [SPOILER].

Disney's newest Latine animated musical, "Encanto", features a super colorful cast, fun music, and a surprising conflict about intergenerational trauma.

'Hawkeye' Episode 3 Review: Echo Steals the Show

"Hawkeye" episode 3 has arrived and it feels like we’re finally getting started! This episode features the debut of Maya Lopez aka Echo, a Deaf Indigenous hero with a prosthetic!

'Hawkeye' Episodes 1 & 2 Review: A Slow but Promising Start

The latest in the lineup of Disney+ Marvel shows, "Hawkeye" is shaping up to be a fun Christmas-themed Avenger show that’s also really down to earth.

'King Richard': A Portrait of a Black Father Seeking Respect

"King Richard" paints a nuanced portrait of a Black father trying to ensure his daughters’ success in a racist, misogynistic world. Yet, Richard and his daughters overcome that fear and adversity to succeed.

I Have a Love-Hate Relationship With 'Love Hard'

"Love Hard" is a Christmas romcom about two people who fall in love while pretending to date. It’s a romantic and fun watch. If you can forget the catfishing.

A Review of 'Eternals', Character by Character

Do not trust Rotten Tomatoes. That is what I learned after watching "Eternals". Critics currently rate it a 48%, but it's an amazing character-focused Marvel movie with positive diverse representation.

'Dune' Disappoints

"Dune" has stunning visuals, a striking soundtrack, and great performances. But it has issues everywhere from its pacing, to its story, to its diverse representation.

'The Last Duel': Examining Modern Rape Culture in Medieval Times

"The Last Duel" is about rape. Although the film delves into rape culture in medieval Europe, there are many striking similarities to modern rape culture.

Ranking Marvel's 'What If...?' Episodes

Marvel’s animated show "What If...?" ended last week, so let’s go back and look at all of the different universes shown and rank each episode from worst to best!

'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' Is a Gay Love Story and I'm Here for It

Yeah, sure, the movie’s about Carnage. But it’s really about love. A love that defies all odds: the love between a man and his man-eating alien symbiote.

Upcoming Movies with Hispanic Representation in 2021

Now that we're officially halfway through Hispanic Heritage Month, let's look ahead at movies featuring Hispanic & Latine representation through the rest of 2021.

'Sex Education' Season 3: Diverse Characters and Relationships

"Sex Education" is one of the most diverse shows I've ever seen! From sexuality to gender identity to race, this show features so many minorities and so many different kinds of relationships!

Ranking 'Cinderella' Adaptations Based on Diversity

"Cinderella" has been adapted many times over, with the latest adaptation from Amazon sparking controversy over its girlboss agenda. But what of diversity? We rank some of the most popular adaptations for diversity.

I Watched Amazon's Girlboss 'Cinderella' So You Don't Have To

The newest in a long line of Cinderella adaptations, Amazon’s "Cinderella" (2021) prizes girlbossification above the very story it tries to adapt.

'Shang-Chi' Delivers Epic Superhero Action and Positive Asian Representation

Marvel’s first Asian superhero film, "Shang-Chi", deserves praise for balancing epic superhero action, a heartfelt family plot, and positive Asian representation.

Go and Tell Everyone About 'Candyman'

"Candyman" (2021) builds upon the original 1992 film by presenting the myth of Candyman not only as an example of black pain, but as an opportunity for black vengeance.

'Sweet Girl': A Mind-Boggling Twist Makes the Movie... Feminist

For the most part, "Sweet Girl" recycles tired hyper masculine revenge tropes, but a surprise twist in the end turns it into a female-centric revenge film.

'CODA' Is a Step Forward for Deaf Representation

"CODA" is about about a child of deaf adults torn between staying with her parents and her dreams of pursuing music. This film is a step forward for deaf representation despite negative messages about the burden of deafness.

'Free Guy' Is the Ryan Reynolds, Disney Collab I Never Knew I Needed

"Free Guy" combines classic Disney (a white heteronormative love story), exploration of popular video games and the culture around them, and Ryan Reynolds adult humor in the best way to make a super fun family flick.

'The Suicide Squad' Is Gory, Gratuitous, but Great

"The Suicide Squad" is at its best when it focuses on its characters and commentary on real-life issues, but stumbles when it relies too heavily on gratuitous gore and insensitive humor.

‘Jungle Cruise’ Is Fun but Has Questionable Representation

"Jungle Cruise" is fun if you can ignore the racism of the ride it’s based on and the film’s bland, stereotypical characters.

'Never Have I Ever' Season 2 Gets Messier, and It's Great

In season 2 of "Never Have I Ever," Devi make many mistakes in a messier season that explores the complex lives of its diverse cast more in-depth than before.

‘Black Widow’ Is About Yelena, Not Natasha

"Black Widow" has strong female characters but sidelines its title character and serves as a launchpad for her successor, Florence Pugh's Yelena.

Get Excited for 'Encanto', Disney’s Latine Animated Musical

Make way for more Latine representation! Disney has released a toe-tapping musical trailer for "Encanto", which features more diversity than expected!

'Love, Victor' Season 2: What Happens After Coming Out?

Season 1 of "Love, Victor" ended on a major cliffhanger: Victor came out to his parents. He said the words “I’m gay” for the first time. Now what?  Season 2 answers the question: “What happens after coming out?”

'The Lego Movie' Brilliantly Subverts Movie Tropes

"The Lego Movie" achieves great humor and story with a combination of childish comedy, adult references, irony, and by subverting popular movie tropes.

John Walker is the Epitome of White Privilege in 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'

Disney+'s "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" is over, but that doesn’t mean discussion about it has stopped. One of the most controversial characters on the show that’s still stirring up discourse is John Walker.

You Need to Watch the Disney+ 'Launchpad' Shorts

Disney+ recently released six short films entitled the “Launchpad” collection in which diverse directors tell diverse stories. These shorts are exactly the kind of films we here at Incluvie want to see more of.

'The Mitchells vs. The Machines': Creative Kids vs. Practical Parents

"The Mitchells vs. The Machines" captures the eternal struggle between kids who want to pursue the arts and their practical parents who think they'll fail.

What Netflix's 'Shadow and Bone' Gets Right and Wrong with the Books’ Diversity

Netflix’s "Shadow and Bone" has a complicated relationship with race. It has a diverse cast, but not without its problems.