NOCTURNAL ANIMALS: An Autopsy of a Relationship
Nocturnal Animals (2016), directed by Tom Ford, is a deep and multi-layered film that weaves a story around love, life, and revenge. The movie not only captivates with its visual aesthetics but also delves into the inner conflicts of its characters. The intersections of these emotions form the core theme of the film. To fully understand how love, loss, betrayal, and revenge intertwine, one must take a closer look at the film’s structure and its characters.
Love: A Tale of Innocence and Disillusionment
At the start of the film, Susan (Amy Adams) begins reading a novel written by her ex-lover, Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal). The novel seems to mirror Susan and Edward’s past, bringing the ghosts of their former love back to life. Love is depicted in two ways: first, through the pure and hopeful relationship Susan and Edward once had; and second, through the tragic love that serves as the main theme of Edward’s novel.
Susan is portrayed as a character trapped between her luxurious life and a cold, emotional void. Despite the perfection on the surface, there is an emptiness in her heart—regrets and losses tied to her former love, Edward. The novel Edward writes serves as a reminder of the destruction of their past relationship and how Susan lost her innocence within it. Through this novel, Susan almost re-experiences love, immersing herself in the story of love and loss Edward has crafted. Here, love becomes both an escape and a vessel of disappointment.
Life: Choices, Regrets, and Confronting the Past
The film carries a narrative that questions the meaning of life and the consequences of the choices we make. Susan, who appears to lead a successful life as a gallery owner, is internally trapped in a sense of emptiness and regret. Her decision regarding Edward is a turning point, significantly shaping the course of her life.
The story oscillates between the past and the present, revealing how Susan and Edward’s relationship evolved over time. It emphasizes how decisions, the past, and regrets influence a person’s life. Edward’s novel acts as a lens, showing Susan—and the audience—how life can transform into a deep anxiety over time, and how losses can leave lasting scars on the heart. The loss of love and lingering regrets create a void that drives people into a desperate search for meaning.
Revenge: The Destructive Transformation of Love
One of the film’s most powerful and complex aspects is how revenge intertwines with love and loss. The main character in Edward’s novel seems to be a manifestation of Edward’s emotional retaliation towards Susan. After years, Edward writes a story as a response to the betrayal of his former lover. This story reflects his pent-up anger, disappointment, and loss. The novel’s protagonist, Tony Hastings (also played by Jake Gyllenhaal), is a man seeking revenge after losing his wife and daughter. Through this character, Edward not only confronts his past but also delivers a form of emotional revenge to Susan, who left him.
Revenge in the film is a result of an emotional void. Edward’s novel is not just a story—it is a reflection of his anger towards Susan’s betrayal. The storyline is almost like a punishment for her disloyalty. This revenge brings to light the darkest aspects of love, the depths of loss, and the wounds left on one’s soul. Edward’s revenge serves as a reminder that he has never truly forgotten his past love or the emotional trauma he endured. It illustrates the destructive transformation of love, shaped by betrayal and loss.
The Intersection of Love, Life, and Revenge
Nocturnal Animals is a work where love, life, and revenge intertwine and feed into each other. Love, initially a source of hope and joy, gradually darkens with loss, betrayal, and regret. Revenge, on the other hand, becomes a response to the destruction, loss, and betrayal of that love. The intersections of these emotions are explored in depth, showing how love can give birth to revenge, and how revenge can symbolize the transformation and eventual demise of love. As the iconic character Ramiz Karaeski (played by Tuncel Kurtiz) once said, “Every betrayal begins with love.”
Edward’s novel also serves as a reflection of Susan’s regrets, losses, and the choices she never made. The film portrays how the choices, losses, and betrayals of the past leave their marks on the soul. Revenge is not a form of healing but rather a surrender to the void and pain of the past. Ultimately, Nocturnal Animals is an unforgettable work that brings together emotional complexities, the internal journeys of its characters, and the confrontation with the past.
A Question for You, Dear Readers:
If you’ve seen the film, what do you think? Why didn’t Edward show up at the end? Do you believe he didn’t come because he freed himself from the burdens of the past and betrayal, or was he trying to exact revenge for the deep wound that betrayal left on his soul?
Stay with love…