2014’s Reclaim – a straight-to-video-on-demand thriller – is a terrible, terrible movie. Despite the presence of Academy Award nominee Jacki Weaver, and Golden Globe nominee John Cusack, the whole thing rattles itself apart under the weight of clichéd plot devices, and poor editing. But, when viewed as an experiment in Hollywood characterisation, Reclaim actually becomes something of a teachable moment – providing everything we need to deconstruct the issue of sexism in film, and society at large.

It’s supposed to be about human trafficking. Shannon (Rachelle Lefevre) and Steven (Ryan Phillippe) travel to Puerto Rico having arranged to adopt a Haitian orphan, through the International Rescue Adoption organisation operated by Gabrielle (Jacki Weaver). The child – 10 year old N...

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