Summary:

After the power goes out in a neighborhood, a boy shares the plot of a comic book, causing the neighborhood to become paranoid. The neighbors are afraid that someone among them is an alien, causing everyone to turn on one another. At one point, this paranoia even causes the group to kill a man. This death leads to more and more violence. In the end, we see some aliens look upon the people, explaining that, by creating paranoia, they can destroy any neighborhood.

 

Bechdel Test:

  • Passes!
  • Many women, some of which talk to one another
  • All talk about the situation at hand

 

Gender Roles of Important Characters:

  • Steve
    • Masculine (3)
      • Leadership, analytical, aggressive, makes decisions
    • Feminine (4)
      • Sensitive to others’ needs, loves children, tender, understanding
  • Charlie
    • Masculine (3)
      • Makes decisions, gullible, aggressive
    • Feminine (1)
      • NA
  • Many other people were present, however there were too many to follow.

 

Analysis:

In the confusion and the paranoia, most people acted the same, regardless of gender. This shows that, at the core of people, aggression and fear comes out of stressful and confusing situations. It helps show how gender is formed by society, not nature. Thus, nature can overpower what society has taught us. Also, Steve, who is the most likeable character, starts off with both masculine and feminine characteristics.

Shared by: Grace White
Image Credit: The Twilight Zone, CBS via Netflix