Psychology technique · used in 8 films
Showing two people bound together by mutual harm or guilt. They cannot leave and cannot heal, and the bond feeds on its own cruelty.
Examples
John Carpenter · 1983
Arnie and Christine feed on each other. The more he fixes her, the more arrogant and cruel he becomes, and the more she hurts for him. Neither can let go, even when it destroys everyone around them.
Where to see it: The drive-in: Leigh says she is jealous of Christine, and while alone in the car she nearly chokes on a hamburger. Christine locks her doors to keep Arnie from rescuing her.
Roman Polanski · 1992
Even when Oscar is desperate enough to want to die, Mimi gives him a gun as a birthday present. After the highs and lows they realize they need each other and marry. The film asks you to see a bond you would not want yourself.
Where to see it: The marriage: After years of humiliation, Oscar and Mimi realize they need each other and marry.
Woody Allen · 2003
Jerry stays with Amanda, his manager Harvey and his analyst because he feels bad about walking away. Dobel reads this as a fear of being alone. The story is Jerry slowly cutting each tie, and you feel the relief when he does.
Where to see it: The restaurant with Harvey. Jerry refuses to extend their contract and announces that he is done working with him.
Bernardo Bertolucci · 2003
Theo and Isabelle cannot live apart, but their closeness is unhealthy. Matthew's arrival makes the strain visible. They cannot leave each other, and the bond hurts them both.
Where to see it: The quiz game: the twins invent a game of film trivia with cruel penalties for the loser, using the game to control each other and Matthew.
Bennett Miller · 2014
Mark and du Pont need each other and also hurt each other. Du Pont gives Mark attention and drugs, and Mark gives du Pont a place at the center of a team.
Where to see it: Cocaine and closeness: Du Pont introduces Mark to cocaine as they become close.
Josh Safdie · 2015
Harley and Ilya cannot stay together and cannot stay apart. Each pain they cause the other pulls them closer. The relationship feeds on its own cruelty, and the film does not let it look romantic.
Where to see it: The breakup. Ilya leaves Harley after she is unfaithful, and she tries to win him back by hurting herself.
Jacques Audiard · 2018
Eli and Charlie are bound together by family, work and old habits. They bicker and protect each other and cannot leave. The loss of Charlie's arm and their return to their mother's house show how far that bond has pulled them.
Where to see it: The river and after. Warm and Morris die from the formula, Charlie's arm is later amputated, and the brothers go home to their mother.
Ari Aster · 2023
Beau and his mother are bound by guilt and control. He cannot leave her, and she will not let him go.
Where to see it: The arena: Beau flees by boat into an arena where his mother and her associates put him on trial.
Questions