Badlands explores the theme of alienation and loss of identity in modern society.
The film creates a dreamlike atmosphere, blurring the line between reality and fantasy.
The relationship between Kit and Holly is complex, marked by elements of sadism, possessiveness, and innocence.
Badlands explores themes of innocence and the loss of innocence, particularly through Holly's character.
Deep dives
Alienation and Loss of Identity
The film explores the theme of alienation and the loss of identity in modern society, particularly among the youth. It highlights the consequences of a society that no longer provides a strong sense of belonging and normative structure. The characters in the film, particularly Holly, experience a sense of being adrift and seek a form of heaven on earth to find meaning and purpose.
The Dreamlike Atmosphere
The film creates a dreamlike atmosphere, blurring the line between reality and fantasy. The poetic narration by the innocent and practically-minded Holly adds to this enchanting quality. The use of symbolism, such as the birdcage and dollhouse motifs, and the disassociation of the characters contributes to the ethereal and surrealist tone of the film.
Kit and Holly's Complex Relationship
The relationship between Kit and Holly is complex, marked by elements of sadism, possessiveness, and innocence. Kit acts as Holly's handler, displacing her father from his role, but their dynamic is not solely one-sided. Holly shows complicity and fascination with Kit, making her responsible for the events that unfold. The film hints at an underlying power struggle between the two characters, with Holly having agency and influence over Kit.
The Depiction of Innocence and Loss of Innocence
The film explores themes of innocence and the loss of innocence, particularly through Holly's character. Her innocent perception of the events and her poetic narration provide profound insights into the human condition. The film presents both the fragility of innocence and its potential to endure in a world marked by violence and disillusionment.
Distorted Perceptions of Female Characters
The podcast episode discusses the contrasting depiction of female characters in a spree killing versus real-life scenario. In the spree killing, the female character faces consequences and prison time, while in real life, she marries the son of her defense attorney. This highlights a difference in framing and the danger of romanticizing violence and criminal behavior.
Escapism and Dissociation
The podcast explores the theme of escapism and dissociation in the film. The main female character yearns for a magical land and desires to be taken away from the violent and unconventional life she's currently living. This highlights the characters' detachment from reality and their preference for fantasy.
Kit's Murderous Actions and Psychological Profile
The podcast delves into the character of Kit, analyzing his behavior and psychological profile. While Kit is portrayed as a killer, he lacks the typical motivations associated with serial killers. Instead, his actions seem circumstantial, and he appears to be driven by rationality rather than a bloodlust. There are also allusions to his disassociation and a potentially deeper, darker psychological state.
Brett and Thomas are joined by philosopher Steven DeLay, for the first of an intermittent series we'll be doing with him on the films of Terrence Malick. After giving an overview of Malick, we analyze the Malick movie that most directly interacts with the major topics of Psyop Cinema, his 1973 debut Badlands. We discuss how it treats the themes of social alienation, nihilism and dissociation and consider the possibility that this poetic and eerie lovers-on-the-run crime drama is secretly an MKUltra movie.
