By JOHN CARTER JR
Tiger Media Network
Being othered in essence is one of the most isolating experiences someone can go through. Particularly when said person, say a child, has relatively no power to combat the negative consequences and stigma attributed to them. Older people, plus-size people, and those who aren’t treated as attractive can often be labeled as creepy, weird, or repulsive simply for having things like desire. Black and brown people are treated like they are dangerous or aggressive just for existing. Women are treated like they are promiscuous simply for having bodies. These unfair and dangerous attributions can prove harmful to people simply trying to live their lives.
Body dysmorphia in those called or treated as ugly. The fear for your own personal safety when walking down the streets or when stopped by cops is always in the backs of the minds of black and brown kids. Islamophobia looms over the heads of Middle Eastern people regardless of what their actual faith is. Historically of course there were young women being scapegoated as witches through fear tactics and mob mentality. However, what happens when someone in that mob becomes one of the “Othered”?
It is Spooky Season once again and with it a slew of frightening flicks to watch. Look forward to reviews on Stop motion scares, Slasher flicks, Korean horror films, and the upcoming “Five Nights at Freddy’s” adaptation. To kick things off we will be revisiting Laika Studios with their iconic stop-motion gem “ParaNorman.” The film is a beautifully animated stop-motion horror wonder. With a color palette befitting our spooky season vibes and character designs eliciting not only scares but nostalgia for all those people we knew in our own hometown. Whether that is the kids we went to school with, teachers, local officers, our parents, our crushes, and even our bullies (well maybe not nostalgia for them).
Released in 2012 starring Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick and John Goodman “ParaNorman” tells the story of Norman Babcock as he deals with zombies, witches, and violent mobs. Not so ironically, in this era of film with its twists and turns, it is the last of those monsters that are the most scary. In a post attack on the capitol America, “ParaNorman” finds itself in a place of particular relevance. This is through its ability to break down dangerous hive mentality in children and adults.
The film does this through parallel stories. The original is the true origins of the Blithe Hollow witch. A legend painted to make the witch the villainous terrifier of the town, when in actuality it is the townsfolk who are to blame for the death of a young girl who simply demonstrated a trait that they were unable to understand and subsequently demonized (literally). This trait was that she could see the dead and speak to them. This can be compared to the modern-day tale however now with a twist. The townsfolk who originally persecuted the young girl rise from the dead are now attacked by the new inhabitants of the Massachusetts town. These zombies along with Norman who comes to their aid in an attempt to set their wrongs right are all demonized by the modern townsfolk. Since the beginning of the story Norman understands what it is like to be othered. He is treated harshly by not just members of his living community but his own family, with his father being his biggest hater. It is not until his newfound friends come to his aid that he is given a chance by his community, a moment comparable to real-life people being vouched for.
At the beginning of the film, Norman’s grandma bestows some wisdom on Norman while watching a scary zombie movie. She says in response to the zombie eating a girl’s brain that it isn’t a nice thing to do and that if “They just bothered to sit down and talk it through, it’d be a different story.” This is very important as it is the first step in the process of accountability or taking responsibility which is portrayed throughout the film. Taking responsibility starts with that very first piece of advice Norman’s Grandma states. Sitting down together to discuss the problem.
We see this when Norman decides to hear the Zombies out. Subsequently, it is apologizing and showing regret for the things we have done that hurt others. We see this as Judge Hopkins explains his regret over his role and the role of the townsfolk in the murder of the young Agatha Prendergast. However, it doesn’t end there, as the recognition of a problem and act of expressing sorrow for doing something hurtful is not taking responsibility on its own. It is subsequently making changes within ourselves through our actions that demonstrate taking responsibility. Through taking actions in staunch defiance of the hurtful things you have done, by avoiding committing those hurtful actions again, and trying to put out more good into the world than the hurt you have inflicted; you are in the process of taking responsibility.
The zombies and Townsfolk do this by helping Norman get through to Agatha. While you can never undo what you have done you can make an attempt to make amends through your actions. You become a better person when you do more than apologize and recognize problems but when you make the choice to make a change within yourself through your actions. We see growth amongst his family in the end, even in his father, because of this.
“ParaNorman” is layered in lessons for people of all ages to learn. It is firstly a fictional account of mob mentality and the cost people are forced to pay for simply wanting to live when they are othered. Furthermore, it is a lesson in taking responsibility, not simply saying we are sorry, for our actions. Forgiveness feels its most honest and cathartic, for both who give it and receive it, when actual work has been put in. Problems that fester and endure for years do not simply go away with the passing of time or simply expressing regret or shame. Because in truth, if your only intention is to express your shame or sorrow have you really changed, do you feel bad because you hurt someone who didn’t deserve it (Maybe even someone you care about), or are you expressing your sorrow because actions reflect poorly on your image?
John Carter (He/Him and She/Her) is a senior at Fort Hays State University, studying Psychology. John has been reviewing films and interviewing talent since 2018. John hosts The Wynonna Knows Podcast and Dear Mr. Indigo Podcasts under the pseudonyms Wynonna Lincoln and Eduardo Valentine JR on Tiger Media Network’s KFHS Radio.
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