Four Films for Psychological Analysis

It is my goal within this editorial to remain neutral and "on the fence" (that is not to choose a side, team, or camp) in regards to the nature/nurture debate that psychologists have described and presented to philosophers and medical professionals. I am familar with the debate enough to provide a brief explanation of the teams. Team Nature would present the benefits of human connection, the family unit, genetic factors, and examples of Naturalism for evidence that appear without technological assistance. Team Nurture would present the benefits of human invention including technology, memory (human and computer), and the necessity of certain provisions and comforts for human development. Having quickly defined the "teams" (although there are many books and articles that give a more in-depth explanation and understanding of the debate) I would like to share with you my thoughts on four films that make me think about the debate: "I am Mother" (directed by Grant Sputore) and "mother!" (directed by Darren Aronofsky), the film "Harry Potter" (book written by J.K. Rowling) and the film "Joker" (directed by Todd Phillips). These films will provide various viewpoints for my "fence" standpoint in this discussion. Team Nature will comprise the films "Harry Potter" and "mother!" whereas Team Nurture consists of the films "I am Mother" and "Joker". All four films use scary and dark themes to prove points for their side of the debate. I remain on the "fence" and do not choose a team because I believe and agree with the validity of all the points made by both sides of the argument.

Beginning with the Harry Potter story, it is easy for me to see how this character's journey makes a strong case for the Nature Team. "You're a wizard, Harry!" Wizard: a male witch. Witch: a term for a female practitioner of Wicca, a faith comprised of old religion, new religion, "magic" and the use of natural resources. Harry is orphaned as a baby when his parents die. He is raised by others at his "muggle" (non-magical) home and at Hogwarts. His nature (his parents, genetics, being male, and being a wizard) is all in direct conflict with the nurture team. He doesn't feel at home with his muggle family. He isn't quite sure about Hogwarts at various times although he grows to prefer it over the muggle home. Constantly threatened by Voldemort, he never really feels safe, but because of the love and assistance from his "chosen" family/friends and his own love of life or desire to survive, he carries on through his personal struggles. The HP series is a good example of starting at odds with the opposing team (Nature against Nurture) only to discover at the end that both teams were a necessary part of the journey/story and that one can not exist without the other. Harry has many friends and rivals throughout the story, but only one enemy, Voldemort. Yet if Voldemort dies, so does Harry. I don't think I'm familar with any other writer who did a better job explaining the balance of Yin and Yang more so than J.K. Rowling with her Harry Potter books/films.

On the opposite side of the fence is the film "Joker" starring Joaquin Phoenix making a strong case for the Nurture Team. Here we see a character we think we know (some hate him and some love him) yet his usual opposition (Batman) is nowhere to be found in this film. The first and only film about Joker without Batman's involvment is exactly why this film makes many arguments for the Nurture philosophy and perspective. Why is the Joker the way he is? He has no enemy, or does he? He has no reason to be mentally disturbed, or does he? Are his murders justified or is he just an anarchistic psychopath who lacks morals or logic? If you've seen the film, you know these questions are more rhetorical than answerable, and I pose them to show the merit of the film and the character for Team Nurture. Had Joker been loved by a real mother, perhaps he wouldn't have been so upset. Had Joker a loving and loyal family, perhaps he wouldn't think murder was fun or funny. Had Joker not tolerated the violence and nonsense of other criminals (if Batman was still around to stop them), perhaps he would not have stooped to vigilante behavior or murder. It is the Joker's contradictory character that makes us see the value of "Nurture" in human existence and psychology.

Next are two films with similar titles on opposite teams: "I am Mother" on the Team Nurture and "mother!" on Team Nature. If you have not seen either of these films, I do not think you will understand my analysis. I only recommend viewing them if you can handle deep existential questions and some disturbing violent scenes. If you think Harry Potter or Joker are bad, then I recommend that you do NOT watch the "Mother" movies because they are worse.

In the film "I am Mother" humanity has been wiped out by the Droids. Droid Mother is bringing humans back to life and her "character" and the story of her human daughter is on Team Nurture. In the film "mother!" a husband and wife struggle with home, marriage, love, finances, and parenting. The movie depicts the Nature of both men and women, alone or within a societal structure. Both of these films raise serious questions and any of us who consider ourselves experienced philophers will see all the questions that can go on and on regarding the nature/nurture debate, especially after viewing the two "mother" films.

After analyzing all four film themes and seeing the various points that were made by the creative producers of these artworks, I conclude that there will not be, nor should there be a winner of the nature/nurture debate. Since it began, it has been a very complicated issue that is best explained with the balance of Yin and Yang. As a believer in the balance, I think there is much wisdom to staying on the fence regarding debates like this one.