Alienation and Human Needs in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale (2022): A Frommian Analysis

Abstract

This study examines the representation of alienation in Darren Aronofsky’s film The Whale (2022). The film portrays how social isolation and estrangement from others can lead to psychological suffering and self-destructive behavior. This study addresses two main research questions: how alienation is represented in the film and how alienation affects the main characters. Using a descriptive qualitative method, the study analyzes scenes, dialogues, and narrative elements to explore the ways in which the characters experience social and emotional alienation. The analysis is based on Erich Fromm’s (1956) theory of human needs, which explains that human beings, as social creatures, require meaningful relationships and emotional connections in order to achieve psychological well-being. The findings reveal that alienation in the film is represented through Charlie’s social isolation, emotional estrangement, severe social anxiety, and dependence on loneliness as a coping mechanism. Furthermore, the study shows that alienation negatively affects the characters through emotional misunderstanding, self-destructive behavior, loss of self-preservation, and an intense desire to reconnect with others despite fear of social interaction. This study contributes to literary and film studies by demonstrating how cinematic narratives and visual storytelling can reflect social and psychological issues experienced in real life. The study also encourages further research on the representation of alienation and mental health in contemporary films.