*Note: This is NOT a professional diagnosis and is NOT meant to reflect on sufferers of mental illness.
Many people in our world and in cinema turn out to be geniuses. The problem is that the world sometimes doesn't recognize the intelligence of these people. And sometimes...the world faces the consequences. In film we encounter highly intelligent characters that are not recognized for their genius and as a result, they become unstable and resolve to make those who underestimated them see their brilliance. This episode of psychological analysis explores the mind and behavior of Edward Nygma, as portrayed by Jim Carry in Joel Schumacher's Batman Forever. Spoilers Ahead
Once upon a time, one of Batman's well known villians, Two-Face, was on a crime spree through Gotham City, with Batman at his heels. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne has been running Wayne Enterprises as usual when one of his employees presents his invention. Edward Nygma, an odd computer genius, has created a device that "beams any TV signal directly into the human brain. By stimulating the
neurons, manipulating brainwaves if you will, this device makes the
viewer feel like they're actually inside the show." Unfortunately for Nygma, Wayne declines his invention because manipulating brainwaves "just raises too many questions." After testing the device on his boss, (against his will), Edward discovers that he can use the device to absorb information from one person's brain into his own and become smarter. Now Nygma is out to beat Bruce Wayne, and in so doing becomes the Riddler. While Bruce Wayne falls in love with psychiatrist Dr. Chase Meridian, the Riddler and Two-Face form an alliance. With the help of an unexpected sidekick, will Batman be able to break the Riddler's grip on the minds of Gotham and stop Two-Face? 
Edward Nygma's condition is ego syntonic, as he does not see any error in his mentality. Nygma's instability starts with his expectations on certain things. When Bruce Wayne rejects his project Nygma says to himself, "you were supposed to understand." Before Wayne meets Nygma we are shown upfront that he is already a great admirer of Mr. Wayne. He more than hopes, but rather expects, that Wayne will be impressed with him. While his invention is impressive, Nygma does not take rejection well at all. This could suggest a superiority complex, the delusion that one is better than others.
During the film, Edward Nygma, as the Riddler, starts sending Bruce When strange riddles. Wayne doesn't know who they're from, so he seeks the advice of Dr. Chase Meridian. Judging from the riddles, Dr. Meridian concludes that "the patient may suffer from obsession... with potential homicidal tendencies." This rings true with Nygma as he is the one that is sending the riddles. He once held Bruce Wayne as his idol, and after testing his device on his boss, Nygma murders him. There is more to him than a mere superiority complex. By the end of Batman Forever, Nygma has taken in so much of other people's minds, including Bruce Wayne's, that he becomes delusional and is committed to Arkham Asylum. Before hand though, his personality and behavior in general tends to be wild and a little demented, introducing the idea that Nygma has a personality disorder.
If Edward Nygma does have a personality disorder, it is likely to be from cluster B of personality disorders. This cluster includes antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic. Observing the behavior patterns of Nygma, we know that he certainly doesn't lack self-worth or a sense of self, which are characteristics of borderline and histrionic personality disorder. His ego is overinflated, but is not enough so to portray an air of narcissism. Overall, Nygma's general resistance to social norms, his ignorance of other's feelings, and his odd behavior and homicide, point more to a possible diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder.
Do you agree with this? Be sure to comment, share, and follow to come back for more on ETF!
Patient may suffer from obsession... ...with potential homicidal tendencies Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=batman-forever
Patient may suffer from obsession... ...with potential homicidal tendencies Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=batman-foreverPatient may suffer from obsession... ...with potential homicidal tendencies Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=batman-forever
Patient may suffer from obsession... ...with potential homicidal tendencies Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=batman-forever
Patient may suffer from obsession... ...with potential homicidal tendencies Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=batman-foreverPatient may suffer from obsession... ...with potential homicidal tendencies Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=batman-forever
Great Review!!
ReplyDelete