Theme Analysis: Determinism In Film
A FilmIsRidley Article by Ridley Coote (February 2024)
What Is Determinism?
In order to discuss the use of determinism as a theme in cinema with any significant sense of understanding, first we need to establish just what exactly the somewhat controversial notion of determinism is. “Determinism is the view that every physical event is completely caused by prior events together with the laws of nature. Or, to put the point differently, it’s the view that every event has a cause that makes it happen in the one and only way that it could have happened.” [1] The implication of this theory is that humans, and any living thing for that matter, lack free will, and therefore agency in their own lives - everything that ever has happened, or will happen, is essentially predetermined.
Seven (1995) Directed by David Fincher
Throughout Fincher’s 90’s classic thriller, detectives’ Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and Mills (Brad Pitt) attempt to catch a sinister serial killer (Kevin Spacey) who has been using the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ as inspiration for his harrowing crimes. However, their every move seems to be exactly what is expected by, and planned for, by the killer. The film’s dramatic and horrifying climax reveals the terrible truth and consequences of their efforts. Fincher leaves the audience wondering whether the detectives really had any choice or free will, or if they were playing the game that ‘John Doe’ wanted them to play the whole time.
Melancholia (2011) Directed by Lars Von Trier
The premise of Lars Von Trier’s Melancholia is simple; the world is ending, nothing the characters do matters. The planet - Melancholia - will hit Earth, no matter what. The film not only famously and effectively examines the heavy themes of nihilism, depression and anxiety, but also the inevitability of determinism in life. How much agency do humans have in the grand scheme of things? Through this film, Von Trier argues none. The film, in its own twisted way, justifies the questionable actions of its characters by using determinism as a theme and ideology.
Arrival (2016) Directed by Denis Villeneuve
Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival asks the question; “If nothing can be changed, what’s the point of trying?” To which Amy Adams’ protagonist responds; “Despite knowing the journey and where it leads, I embrace it, and I welcome every moment of it.” [2] Amy Adams sees her future life play out, but instead of resisting it and trying to change it, she embraces her pre-determined fate. The film is a fascinating interpretation of the notion of determinism, suggesting that our lives are already determined, from the lovers we take, to the children we have and the ways we die.
The Matrix Trilogy (1999-2003) Directed by Lilly & Lana Wachowski
Throughout this iconic science fiction trilogy, the Wachowski’s deal with fate and determinism in a myriad of ways. Most of these surround the protagonist; Neo (Keanu Reeves), and his duel between his supposedly predetermined fate and what he perceives as his own free will and agency. The films blur the lines between reality and virtual reality, and use this to ask the audience how in control of their lives they really are. How can we be sure, if we are all just in a simulation? Are we really in control if there is a massive supercomputer running us with binary code? The truth of the matter is, whether we are in a simulation or not, we can never definitively prove it, and can never technically prove if our lives are predetermined or not.
Memento (2000) Directed by Christopher Nolan
In Chris Nolan’s early mystery thriller, the film’s protagonist; Leonard (Guy Pearce), is trying to find his wife’s killer and make sense of his disorienting life. However, he has no short term memory, which means he relies on crude, but informative, tattoos, as well as the information given to him by others, in order to piece together the truth. His whole life is the words on his skin and the faces he remembers all too briefly. The film shows that Leonard never really has agency over his life, as he is led by external stimuli throughout the entire story. He is constantly reliant on these stimuli to set his path, thus removing any significant free will he might hope to possess.
Closing Thoughts
As each of the above examples show, determinism makes for a truly fascinating and poignant philosophical theme to address in cinema, which can help to produce some of the finest pieces of film and storytelling in media. However, it is important to remember that the notion of determinism is inherently flawed and potentially very dangerous, and should not be used as justification or explanation for the actions of oneself or others. As alluring as it might be for some to give themselves over to the sways of predetermined existence, this mindset unfortunately opens the door to willfully harmful or ignorant behaviour. Determinism is best thought of as an interesting, but outdated, hypothesis of 20th Century philosophy, rather than any mantra to base one's life and decisions on.
Acknowledgement:
A brief but worthwhile acknowledgement belongs to the owner of the “Perfection Of Cinema” (@perfectionofcinema) account on Instagram, who was the instigator for my research into determinism and subsequent writing of the article you have just read and hopefully enjoyed. I originally wrote the five film examples for a collaborative post on Instagram with “Perfection Of Cinema”, but have since edited and added to it. Thanks are therefore both necessary and deserved for the aforementioned curator of the page (as of February 2024).
References:
[1] “Why the Classical Argument Against Free Will Is a Failure” - Mark Balaguer via ‘The MIT Press Reader’ (2022) -
[2] “Arrival” - Eric Andrew Heisserer (2016) via ‘Cinefile.Biz’ - http://www.cinefile.biz/script/arrival.pdf
Film List:
Seven (1995) David Fincher
Melancholia (2011) Lars Von Trier
Arrival (2016) Denis Villeneuve
The Matrix Trilogy (1999-2003) Lilly & Lana Wachowski
The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix: Reloaded (2003)
The Matrix: Revolutions (2003)
Memento (2000) Christopher Nolan
Comments