6.5
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
The Following (2013)
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Viewer Rating
Rating: 6.5
Overview
Notorious serial killer Joe Carroll, after being found guilty of murdering 14 female students on the Virginia college campus where he taught literature, escapes from death row. The FBI calls former agent Ryan Hardy to consult on the case, as he was the one responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003. Ryan, working closely with an FBI team, including Mike Weston and FBI Specialist Debra Parker, piece together the ever-growing web of murders orchestrated by the devious Carroll.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Bias Dimensions
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Negative
Trans: Negative
Overview
Notorious serial killer Joe Carroll, after being found guilty of murdering 14 female students on the Virginia college campus where he taught literature, escapes from death row. The FBI calls former agent Ryan Hardy to consult on the case, as he was the one responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003. Ryan, working closely with an FBI team, including Mike Weston and FBI Specialist Debra Parker, piece together the ever-growing web of murders orchestrated by the devious Carroll.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Primary
The film explores the psychological drama of obsession, fame, and identity, focusing on individual experiences and the nature of celebrity culture. Its themes are largely apolitical, observing human behavior without promoting specific political ideologies or solutions.
The movie features a predominantly white main cast with some visible diversity in supporting roles, without explicit race or gender swaps of traditionally white roles. Its narrative focuses on a crime thriller plot, maintaining a neutral or positive framing of traditional identities without explicit critique.
Secondary
The series features Paul and Jacob, a gay couple who are prominent members of a murderous cult. Their relationship is central to their character arcs, depicting intense love and manipulation within a villainous context. While their sexuality is not the cause of their villainy, their exclusive portrayal as disturbed antagonists, without any positive or neutral LGBTQ+ representation, results in a problematic association of queer identity with negative themes.
The Following features a transgender character, Jana, whose identity is revealed as a problematic plot twist. Her trans identity is linked to her villainy and deceptive nature, with the narrative emphasizing her deadname and pre-transition life for shock value. This portrayal reinforces harmful stereotypes without offering counterbalance or dignity.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The Following is an original series that premiered in 2013, not an adaptation or reboot of pre-existing source material. All characters were created specifically for the show, meaning there are no pre-established characters whose gender could have been swapped.
The Following is an original television series, not an adaptation of pre-existing material or a depiction of historical figures. All characters were created for this show, meaning there is no prior canonical or historical race to establish a baseline for comparison. Therefore, no race swaps occurred.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
7.4
6.9
Critic Ratings
5.8
5.8
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