It is common ground that films offer a richness and an intensity that cannot be found in any other medium. The unique combination of visual and acoustic elements; the work-ing together of language, gesture, mimic and music; of images and sound, offer an im-pressive account of reality. Wedding explains: “With the best films, the viewer experi-ences a sort of dissociative state in which ordinary existence is temporarily suspended. No other art form pervades the consciousness of the individual experiencing it to the same extent and with such power.” Of course one may argue that some literary works can have the same absorbing effect, still the medium film is undoubtedly a very power-ful one when it comes to captivating people’s attention. Films “have become a perva-sive and omnipresent part of our society with little conscious awareness of the pro-found influence the medium may be exerting” .
One extremely widespread and popular genre is the thriller and its subgenres. Ranging from spy, gangster and science-fiction films to horror films, splatters and stalkers, there is hardly any film that has not been labelled a thriller. A relatively new develop-ment within the thriller is the topic of mental illness and psychopathology. Two recent examples are The Machinist by Brad Anderson and Lucid by Sean Garrity. In both films, the directors concern themselves with trauma and its impact on the psyche of the re-spective protagonists.
In his book ‘The Suspense Thriller’, Derry outlines a new thriller subgenre: the psy-chotraumatic thriller. I shall like to discuss whether Lucid and The Machinist may or may not be subsumed under this label.
In the following, I will first outline the plots of the two films. Then I shall want to concen-trate on the acute and post-traumatic stress disorder of the main protagonists. After that, I shall have a look at the thriller genre in general and at the posttraumatic thriller genre in particular. Touching briefly on the question why films are especially well suited to depict psychopathological films and what possibilities directors have to por-tray mental illness, I shall like to continue with Derry’s eight-part formula of the psy-chotraumatic thriller.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Plots
- 2.1. Lucid
- 2.2. The Machinist
- 3. The characters
- 3.1. The character of Joel Rothman
- 3.2. The character of Trevor Reznik
- 4. The genre of the psychotraumatic thriller
- 5. Films and mental illness
- 6. Analysis
- 6.1. The Machinist as a prototypical psychotraumatic thriller?
- 6.2. Lucid as a prototypical psychotraumatic thriller?
- 7. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze whether the films Lucid and The Machinist can be classified as prototypes of the psychotraumatic thriller subgenre, as defined by Derry. It examines the plots, characters, and thematic elements of both films within the context of the thriller genre and its exploration of mental illness and trauma.
- The portrayal of trauma and its impact on the psyche.
- The characteristics of the psychotraumatic thriller genre.
- The effectiveness of film as a medium for depicting mental illness.
- Comparative analysis of Lucid and The Machinist.
- The role of mental illness in shaping the narratives of thrillers.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter establishes the premise of the paper by highlighting the power of film as a medium to portray complex realities, particularly the exploration of mental illness within the thriller genre. It introduces the concept of the psychotraumatic thriller and outlines the two films, Lucid and The Machinist, which will be analyzed in the context of this subgenre. The chapter sets the stage for a detailed examination of how these films handle themes of trauma and mental illness.
2. The Plots: This section provides an overview of the plots of both Lucid and The Machinist. It sets the scene for the later analysis by providing a concise summary of the narrative structure of each film, highlighting key plot points that contribute to the overall themes of the analysis. Without going into excessive detail, the chapter establishes the context for the detailed character and thematic analyses that follow.
3. The characters: This chapter delves into the characteristics of the main protagonists, Joel Rothman from Lucid and Trevor Reznik from The Machinist. A detailed analysis is provided, exploring their psychological states and how their respective traumas influence their actions and decisions. The chapter compares and contrasts the characters, highlighting similarities and differences in their experiences with trauma and mental illness and how these experiences shape their respective narratives.
4. The genre of the psychotraumatic thriller: This section explores the genre of the psychotraumatic thriller, providing a framework for analyzing the selected films. It discusses the defining characteristics of this subgenre, highlighting its focus on mental illness and trauma and how they are used to drive the narrative. The chapter helps to situate the analysis within a larger theoretical context and serves as a critical lens for understanding the films' thematic elements.
5. Films and mental illness: This chapter delves into the unique capabilities of film in depicting mental illness. It examines the ways directors can use visual and auditory elements to convey the internal experiences of characters suffering from trauma and psychological distress. This section provides context for understanding how the chosen films utilize cinematic techniques to depict mental illness effectively and explore its narrative potential.
6. Analysis: This chapter provides a detailed analysis of Lucid and The Machinist in relation to the criteria of a psychotraumatic thriller. It discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each film fitting the established framework and offers a comparative approach, highlighting differences and similarities in the films' treatment of trauma and mental health. The chapter provides a nuanced and in-depth interpretation, drawing conclusions about the films' status as prototypes for the genre.
Keywords
Psychotraumatic thriller, trauma, mental illness, film analysis, Lucid, The Machinist, post-traumatic stress disorder, cinematic representation, psychological thriller, narrative structure.
FAQ: Analysis of "Lucid" and "The Machinist" as Prototypical Psychotraumatic Thrillers
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes whether the films Lucid and The Machinist can be classified as prototypical examples of the psychotraumatic thriller subgenre. It examines their plots, characters, and thematic elements within the context of thrillers and their exploration of mental illness and trauma.
What films are analyzed in this paper?
The paper focuses on a comparative analysis of two films: Lucid and The Machinist.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the portrayal of trauma and its impact on the psyche, the characteristics of the psychotraumatic thriller genre, the effectiveness of film in depicting mental illness, and a comparative analysis of how Lucid and The Machinist utilize these elements.
What is a psychotraumatic thriller?
The paper defines and explores the characteristics of the psychotraumatic thriller subgenre, highlighting its focus on mental illness and trauma as central narrative drivers.
How does the paper analyze the films?
The analysis involves examining the plots, characters (specifically Joel Rothman from Lucid and Trevor Reznik from The Machinist), and thematic elements of both films. It considers how cinematic techniques are used to depict mental illness and explores the films' strengths and weaknesses in fitting the criteria of a psychotraumatic thriller.
What are the key chapters and their content?
The paper includes chapters on the introduction, plot summaries of both films, detailed character analyses, an exploration of the psychotraumatic thriller genre, a discussion on film's portrayal of mental illness, a comparative analysis of the two films within the genre framework, and a concluding chapter. Each chapter provides a detailed summary in the document.
What are the key takeaways or conclusions of the paper?
The paper ultimately concludes whether or not Lucid and The Machinist successfully embody the characteristics of a psychotraumatic thriller, offering a nuanced comparison and interpretation of both films.
What keywords are associated with this research?
Keywords include: Psychotraumatic thriller, trauma, mental illness, film analysis, Lucid, The Machinist, post-traumatic stress disorder, cinematic representation, psychological thriller, and narrative structure.
- Quote paper
- Lydia Gaukler (Author), 2007, Lucid and The Machinist: Prototypes of the Psychotraumatic Thriller?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/71529
