Genre

SUSPENSE, ROMANCE, LGBT, DRAMA

Brief

An 18-year-old girl and her boyfriend are transported from the normal world to another reality where homosexuality is the predominate way of being and heterosexuals like them are persecuted in horrible ways. In an attempt to get back to their own world, they discover a vast conspiracy where heterosexual couples in a refugee camp are being used for their ability to biologically reproduce as part of a child trafficking ring. While trying to save the refugees in danger, the teens are taken by the same villain and must be rescued by their friends and family. They settle into the “gay world” when they’re unable to transport their consciousnesses back home.

Overall Rating

FAIR

Point of View

THIRD PERSON

Narrative Elements

Authors Writing Style: FAIR

Characterization: FAIR

Commerciality: FAIR

Franchise Potential: FAIR

Pace: GOOD

Premise: FAIR

Structure: FAIR

Theme: FAIR

Accuracy of Book Profile

The Book Profile accurately reflects the book as a whole, yes. The only thing that might be worth adjusting is the target audience section, as the story skews mostly toward a young audience.

Draw of Story

Katherine being taken to an alternate reality, almost a mirror world, is fascinating, and seeing her discover all its differences and similarities is a fun ride. The fact that Michael is also taken, and that they are in this together, makes for an effective romantic entry into the story. The world being built here has great bones, and it instantly draws in the audience as they’ll want to know more about what’s going on. Katherine and Michael have a clear goal from the outset, and jumping right into the action is a great instinct on the author’s part.

Possible Drawbacks

Though the work is attempting to engage with complex and interesting topics, it’s not pushing far enough to truly say something new. The main thing being challenged are the homophobic, and nearly archaic, viewpoints of the protagonist and those around her. The way Katherine engages with homosexuality feels extremely dated and not like the way most young Americans seem to think these days. Of course the modern world is still dangerous to the LGBTQ community, especially when certain religious spaces are involved, but it’s disheartening to know that both Katherine’s original world and the one she’s transported into are both places that view anyone not of the “normal” sexuality as second class citizens. It feels reductive. Making an effort to engage with deeper topics relating to sexuality and gender would make this a richer read, especially acknowledging the broad spectrum of both rather than the limited view presented herein.

Use of Special Effects

THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS

Primary Hook of Story

The uniqueness of the plot is a hook into this movie. Though it could alienate many audiences, it’s sure to raise curiosity. The multiple genres also act as an effective hook, and there’s a wide swath of interesting topics covered — up to and including the many-worlds theory which is currently in the zeitgeist thanks to other media.

Fanbase Potential

It’s unlikely that this is the kind of story that would garner a large fanbase due to the subject matter. It wouldn’t be a draw for an LGBTQ audience, and it would likewise be a difficult sell for a straight audience. The latter is the ideal audience for an adaptation in order to achieve the author’s hope of broadening minds and experience, but it’s unclear how wide of an audience would be jumping at that chance. The story additionally runs the risk of alienating a wide swath of Christians and/or the religious right because of the twists on the Bible. The LGBTQ community is also unlikely to respond well as a whole, which is otherwise addressed below.

Awards Potential

Due to a lack of clear audience as well as centering teens, it’s unlikely to have traditional awards potential.

Envisioned Budget

MEDIUM BUDGET

Similar Films/TV Series

BLACK LIKE ME, TWELVE MONKEYS, SLIDING DOORS, YESTERDAY

What’s New About the Story

The storyline of this book is undoubtedly unique, and there’s not much that could be done to make it more so. Originality isn’t at all the concern with this project, but rather the premise itself is difficult to envision as producible, much less commercial.

Lead Characters

Neither Katherine nor Michael are very relatable or realistic characters. In their home world, they seem to have had perfect lives where they’re the popular kids in an idyllic relationship. The only real flaw either of them has is, ironically, homophobia. They each have moments where it’s clear they didn’t value gay people as real human beings in their own world, such as Katherine insinuating that queer celebrities come out for attention, or Michael feeling “betrayed” when his best friend comes out (23). However, these issues aren’t really addressed except in their own heads, nor are they really treated as flaws. The supporting characters are also flat, such as Travis and Sydney easily accepting what has happened. Even if they do believe their now-exes journeyed to a different world, this would be an extremely difficult time for them, to have the people they romantically love not attracted to them in the slightest overnight. This further plays into the theme that loves needs to be sacrificial and selfless, and thus sanitized. Gay love is often sanitized in this way in media, and it is here, too. It’s not depicted as sexual or passionate, but rather something that can be “accepted” by others because it’s pure.

Uniqueness of Story

The G-World isn’t as fully developed as it could be. We’re told that it’s more progressive in some ways, but the only way we see it manifest (versus just hearing about it) is in the advanced reproduction technology. Showcasing differences between the two worlds will make the G-World feel more unique and realistic. The main difference is in the way people of different genders are separated, though this isn’t well-defined either. Men and women are harshly discouraged from touching, or even being friends, yet seem perfectly capable of working together. Karel has a throwaway line about milkshakes being “for girls” (115), which is one of a few hints that misogyny is still alive and well in the G-World. In a world where family structure looks completely different and society isn’t defined by male-female relationships, gender roles and politics would be vastly different than they are in our world, yet this isn’t addressed. Delving into how society would be shaped differently and how men and women would relate to one another differently, would be so interesting. Why can’t men and women be friends, or touch? People of the same gender who are heterosexual in our world regularly are friends and casually touch, so this is an odd line to draw for the G-World. Losing the religion aspects would simplify the world and make it less confusing.

Possible Formats

Film: Indie

Analyst Recommendation

WORK IN PROGRESS

Justification

There are some interesting elements to the book, but they’re not well developed enough to make up for the weaker areas that still need work. Tackling the difficult premise is the biggest task, but beyond that the characters and storyline also could be bettered. The world isn’t as clear or unique as it could be, and there are some accidentally homophobic themes that could be scrubbed out. Though the story brings together several genres, it doesn’t effectively engage with most of them, nor seem to be familiar with the tropes that audiences will expect to see (and enjoy). The writing style is also not as engaging as it could be, and lessening the expository nature of it would make it more compelling.

Tips for Improvement

The chief concern with the work is the premise itself, which doesn’t have a clear audience and unfortunately comes off as offensive to a queer audience at times. Beyond this, the characters need to be strengthened and made more three-dimensional. The dual storylines of Katherine and Michael trying to escape while also trying to save the refugees could better dovetail, as they feel only barely connected. How they even learn about the camp is a little too convenient, as it’s a combination of coincidence and then other people knowing conspiracy theories. The murder investigation is also quickly and easily wrapped up in a matter of sentences after the fact. The audience is also put in a position to pity straight people, and the way society has been structured in regards to the value of children because of homosexuality is homophobic in and of itself because it shows the dangers of “unnatural” birth processes. This project might be helped by a sensitivity read from a professional LGBTQ reader who could give notes relating to a marginalized experience.