Illinois Featured Content

  • Study: Brilliant white male characters more believable, some viewers say

    Nov 22, 2024 8:45 am by Sharita ForrestInsights
    Communication professor Matea Mustafaj sits in front of a screen showing some of the films used in the study, including, “Hidden Figures,” “The Queen’s Gambit,” “Pawn Sacrifice” and “The Martian.” Photo by Fred Zwicky

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    • Communication professor Matea Mustafaj sits in front of a screen showing some of the films used in the study, including, “Hidden Figures,” “The Queen’s Gambit,” “Pawn Sacrifice” and “The Martian.” Photo by Fred Zwicky

    Brilliant characters often play key roles in movies and TV shows. However, when they are played by women and people of color, some audience members dismiss them as unrealistic, even if they portray real people.