A Practical Guide to Compartmentalization
He walks into a conference room, pitches a campaign with an easy smile, then later sits alone in a dim apartment, peeling an orange and thinking of the boy he…
Alexithymia on Screen: Characters Who Can’t Name What They Feel
From Sherlock's clinical logic to Don Draper's ritualized distraction, alexithymia appears again and again in film and TV. This practical guide explains alexithymia, surveys on-screen portrayals, and gives craft-forward, ethical…
Limerence on Screen: When Obsession Looks Like Love
Trigger warning: this article discusses stalking, boundary violations, captivity, and violence. If these topics are distressing, please pause. Examples of Limerence in Film and TV — Introduction It’s a familiar cinematic…
Fragility of Sanity: How Rational Minds Unravel
We often assume sanity is stable, but the fragility of sanity on screen shows something else: small cracks in routine, role, or reputation can widen into radical interior change. This…
Haunted by Potential: The Characters Who Fear Who They Could’ve Been
Spoiler note: this analysis discusses major beats from Breaking Bad, BoJack Horseman, The Godfather, and others. If you're spoiler-averse, skim the psychological framework and filmmaking sections first. Film Characters Haunted…
The Mirror Effect: Why We Fall for Characters Who Reflect Our Flaws
Understanding the Powerful Connection to Flawed Characters In film and literature, the most memorable characters are rarely the perfect ones. Instead, they are often reflections of ourselves, embodying the messy,…
The Psychology of Helping: Savior Complex and When Helping Becomes Control
In the complex dance of human relationships, the line between genuine support and unintentional control can be perilously thin. We've all felt the urge to help someone we care about,…
Why Do Characters Relive Trauma? Exploring Repetition Compulsion
Ever wonder why characters in shows like 'Breaking Bad' or 'Euphoria' seem stuck in a loop, reliving the same pain over and over? This phenomenon, known as repetition compulsion, is a…
The Fear of Stagnation: Analyzing Its Cultural and Psychological Significance in Modern Storytelling
Stagnation and Its Thematic Relevance Stagnation, often characterized by a lack of progress, development, or change, holds a significant place in modern storytelling. As the pace of contemporary life accelerates,…
The Psychology of Detachment: Why Some Characters Feel Too Little, Not Too Much
Introduction to Emotional Detachment in Characters In the worlds of film and television, numerous characters embody emotional detachment, provoking various responses from audiences. Emotional detachment is characterized by a lack…