“The Boy” is a psychological horror film released in 2016, directed by William Brent Bell, and starring Lauren Cohan as the main protagonist. The film explores themes such as guilt, loss, and coping mechanisms. Teachers who want to use this movie as a learning tool for their students can do so with care and attention to ensure they foster analytical thinking and discussions on psychological themes.
Plot Summary
“The Boy” follows Greta Evans (Lauren Cohan), an American nanny hired by an elderly British couple to take care of their son, “Brahms.” Upon arrival, Greta discovers that Brahms is actually a life-sized doll. The couple treats the doll as if it were their real son, following a set of strict rules. As the plot unfolds, Greta encounters unusual events that make her suspect Brahms might be alive. The truth eventually unveils itself, carrying a heavy dose of psychological implications.
Themes for Discussion
1. Coping Mechanisms: Explore how people cope with trauma and grief by examining the grieving parents’ need to create an illusion of their son being alive with the life-sized doll.
2. Guilt: The impact of guilt on mental health can be analyzed through Greta’s character and the tragedy she left behind in America before taking up the role as a nanny in England.
3. Isolation: Study how both the physical isolation of living in a remote mansion and emotional isolation of being away from familiar faces can affect an individual’s psyche.
4. Psychological Horror Genre: By examining “The Boy,” students can learn to distinguish between different horror sub-genres – such as psychological horror versus supernatural horror – and begin analyzing the cinematography techniques, sound design, and narrative structure employed in these genres.
Classroom Activities
1. Group Discussion: Divide students into groups and assign them different themes (coping mechanisms, guilt, isolation) to research and analyze. Have each group present their findings to the class.
2. Creative Writing: Encourage students to write their own psychological horror short stories, focusing on incorporating the themes discussed in class.
3. Film Analysis: Show specific scenes from “The Boy” to discuss and analyze the cinematic techniques used to create psychological tension and suspense.
4. Compare and Contrast: Have students watch another psychological horror film and engage in a discussion on similarities, differences, and thematic relevance between the two.
Conclusion
Using “The Boy” movie as a teaching tool can be beneficial for stimulating discussions about mental health and how circumstances can have a lasting effect on an individual’s psyche. Teachers should keep in mind the sensitive nature of the material and appropriately guide discussions within the classroom. By exploring these themes in-depth, students will gain a better understanding of various coping mechanisms, guilt, isolation, and what defines a psychological horror film.
