The uncanny

Definition

The uncanny refers to a psychological phenomenon that evokes feelings of unease or discomfort when something is both familiar and strange at the same time. This concept often highlights the tension between reality and illusion, where familiar objects or situations take on an eerie quality that disrupts our sense of normalcy. The uncanny plays a significant role in psychoanalytic film theory, as it connects to deeper human fears, desires, and the exploration of the subconscious.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The uncanny often manifests in film through motifs like doppelgängers, the supernatural, and characters experiencing an unsettling sense of familiarity.
2. In psychoanalytic theory, the uncanny is tied to the repressed aspects of the self, suggesting that what feels strange may stem from unresolved internal conflicts.
3. Films that evoke the uncanny frequently utilize visual and auditory techniques that create a disorienting atmosphere, heightening viewer unease.
4. The uncanny can also be found in everyday experiences where objects or places suddenly feel unfamiliar or take on an eerie quality, illustrating its psychological impact.
5. Understanding the uncanny helps viewers critically engage with films by revealing underlying fears and desires projected onto characters and narratives.

Review Questions

• How does Freud's concept of the uncanny help us understand the emotional reactions evoked by certain film narratives?
  • Freud's concept of the uncanny helps us understand emotional reactions in film by highlighting how familiar elements can trigger repressed fears and anxieties. When characters or situations resemble aspects of our lives but introduce an unsettling twist, it leads to discomfort. This response reflects our subconscious grappling with unresolved issues, allowing filmmakers to explore deep psychological themes that resonate with audiences on a profound level.
• Discuss how projection as a psychological mechanism contributes to the experience of the uncanny in film.
  • Projection contributes to the experience of the uncanny in film by allowing viewers to project their own fears or insecurities onto characters or scenarios depicted on screen. When characters confront situations that echo our own suppressed emotions, it creates a disconcerting reflection of ourselves. This leads to a deeper connection with the narrative while simultaneously instilling feelings of unease, as we recognize these uncomfortable aspects within ourselves.
• Evaluate how liminality can enhance the sense of the uncanny in cinematic experiences and its impact on audience engagement.
  • Liminality enhances the sense of the uncanny by placing characters and audiences in transitional spaces where reality blurs into fantasy. These in-between moments can evoke feelings of disorientation and confusion, amplifying emotional responses. When audiences navigate these ambiguous zones alongside characters, they engage more deeply with themes of identity and transformation, ultimately creating a richer understanding of their own fears and desires through this unsettling lens.

Related terms

Freud's Uncanny: A concept introduced by Sigmund Freud, describing how the uncanny arises from repressed fears and memories resurfacing in a familiar context, creating discomfort.

Projection: A psychological defense mechanism where individuals attribute their own undesirable thoughts or feelings onto others, often leading to feelings of the uncanny when reflecting on one's own insecurities.

Liminality: The state of being in-between, which can evoke a sense of the uncanny as individuals find themselves in unfamiliar situations that blur the line between reality and fantasy.