Drama, Thriller  •  2022  •  166 min

Pacifiction (2022)

Pacifiction poster

Pacifiction (2022)


Rating & Dimensions

Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Neutral
Trans: Positive
Family Values: Mixed

Viewer Rating
7.2

Overview

Pacifiction follows a smooth French government official navigating the slow-burn tensions of colonial administration in Tahiti, where rumors of nuclear testing and layers of power quietly unsettle the tropical surface. Director Albert Serra shoots it at a hypnotic, deliberate pace that suits the subject. The Leans Progressive label reflects two clear pulls: the film treats French imperial presence in Polynesia as an ongoing wound rather than a neutral backdrop, and a mahū character is woven into the story with genuine dignity. Neither signal is loud or didactic. The politics live in the atmosphere, and the identity themes arrive without fanfare, which is precisely what makes them land as considered choices rather than messaging.


Starring Cast

Benoît Magimel  •   Pahoa Mahagafanau  •   Marc Susini


Where to watch

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Apple TV logoApple TV
Prime Video logoPrime Video
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Detailed Bias Analysis

Analyzing...
Leans Progressive

Primary

Political: Leans Left
Confidence: High

The film's central focus on the enduring negative impacts of colonialism and the threat of renewed imperial exploitation in French Polynesia aligns its dominant themes with progressive values, leading to a left-leaning rating.

Diversity: Moderate
Confidence: High

The movie features visible diversity in its cast, which is a natural reflection of its French Polynesian setting rather than explicit DEI-driven casting. Its narrative offers a subtle and indirect critique of colonial power structures, exploring the complexities of traditional authority without explicitly portraying traditional identities in a negative light.

Secondary

LGBTQ: Neutral
Confidence: High

The film portrays the protagonist's ambiguous relationships with young Tahitian men, characterized by a mix of predatory and paternalistic affection. These non-heteronormative interactions are presented observationally, without explicit judgment or moralizing. The depiction avoids strong positive or negative arcs, neither affirming nor denigrating the underlying power dynamics.

Trans: Positive
Confidence: Medium

The film features Shannah, a mahū (trans woman), as a significant character who is depicted with dignity, complexity, and agency. Her trans identity is integrated naturally into the narrative without being sensationalized or a source of negative framing. Shannah serves as a performer and confidante to the protagonist, affirming the worth of her life and presence.

Family Values: Mixed
Confidence: High

The film does not feature a central family unit or narrative focused on family life norms. The protagonist's personal relationships are largely peripheral and do not endorse or critique specific family structures or values.

Female Combat: N/R

The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.

Gender Swap: No
Confidence: High

The film features original characters created for its narrative, without any prior canonical or historical gender established in source material or real-world history to be altered.

Race Swap: No
Confidence: High

The film "Pacifiction" is an original work with characters created specifically for this production. There is no prior source material, historical record, or previous adaptation to establish a canonical race for any character that could then be altered.

Hinduism: N/A
Confidence: High

Not depicted in the film.


Viewer Rating Breakdown

7.2

Viewer Rating

Combines user and critic ratings from four sources

User Ratings

IMDB logo
6.3
The Movie Database logo
6.2

Critic Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes logo
8.8
Metacritic logo
7.5

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