3.3
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
The Pest (1997)
The Pest (1997)
Overview
Fast-talking Latino con artist Pestario "Pest" Vargas is the target of Scottish mobsters to whom he owes a considerable debt. Willing to do anything to raise money and avoid severe injury or death, Vargas agrees to a very unusual job -- he will be transported to a remote island and hunted by Gustav Shank, a racist German executive. If he can survive a full day and night, Vargas gets $50,000 and will be set free. Is he wily enough to elude Shank?
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Negative
Judaism: Negative
Viewer Rating
3.3
Overview
Fast-talking Latino con artist Pestario "Pest" Vargas is the target of Scottish mobsters to whom he owes a considerable debt. Willing to do anything to raise money and avoid severe injury or death, Vargas agrees to a very unusual job -- he will be transported to a remote island and hunted by Gustav Shank, a racist German executive. If he can survive a full day and night, Vargas gets $50,000 and will be set free. Is he wily enough to elude Shank?
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Primary
The film is a slapstick comedy centered on individual survival and comedic antics, using a universally condemned ideology as a farcical plot device rather than engaging in serious political commentary or promoting a specific ideological stance.
The movie features a non-white lead actor and a visibly diverse cast, but these roles are not explicit race or gender swaps of traditionally white characters. The narrative focuses on comedic elements and does not explicitly critique traditional identities or center strong DEI themes.
Secondary
The film features an antagonist whose effeminate mannerisms and implied predatory homosexual desires are used for comedic effect, linking queer-coded traits with villainy and mockery. This portrayal lacks dignity or positive representation, contributing to a problematic net impact.
The film features the protagonist, Pest, impersonating a stereotypical Jewish character for comedic effect. The narrative utilizes these stereotypes for humor without offering any counterbalancing nuance or critique of the portrayal, thereby reinforcing a negative comedic stereotype.
The film 'The Pest' does not feature any identifiable transsexual characters or themes within its comedic plot about a con artist. Consequently, the rubric's net impact assessment is N/A due to the complete absence of relevant depictions.
The film primarily focuses on the male protagonist's comedic escapes and interactions. There are no significant female characters depicted engaging in or winning close-quarters physical combat against male opponents.
The film "The Pest" (1997) is an original production and does not adapt characters from prior source material, historical figures, or reboot an existing franchise. All characters were created for this film, thus precluding any gender swaps from established canon.
The Pest is an original film, not an adaptation of pre-existing source material or a biopic. Its characters do not have established canonical or historical racial identities prior to this film's creation, thus precluding a race swap.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
4.8
4.7
Critic Ratings
0.4
N/A
More Like This
Leans Traditional
7.4
Lethal Weapon
(1987)
Political: Leans Right
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Traditional
6.8
The Matador
(2005)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Neutral
Leans Traditional
6.5
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
(2024)
Political: Leans Right
Diversity: Moderate
Center
7.7
Men in Black
(1997)
Political: Leans Right
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Traditional
7.0
Team America: World Police
(2004)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Negative
Leans Traditional
8.0
Midnight Run
(1988)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
6.9
Emil and the Detectives
(1964)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Traditional
7.5
Gunga Din
(1939)
Political: Strong Right
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
6.7
Violent Night
(2022)
Political: Leans Right
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Neutral
Leans Traditional
7.1
Ice Age
(2002)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.1
Innerspace
(1987)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.0
Batman
(1966)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.2
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
(1974)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Center
7.5
Batman vs. Two-Face
(2017)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Female Combat: Yes
Leans Traditional
8.4
The General
(1926)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.5
The Case
(1972)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
6.8
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
(1963)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.5
The In-Laws
(1979)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Center
7.8
The Powerpuff Girls Rule!!!
(2008)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Female Combat: Yes
Leans Traditional
6.7
Pineapple Express
(2008)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low