Article
Rethinking the Monstrous: Gender, Otherness, and Space in the Cinematic Storytelling of Arrival and The Shape of Water (Forthcoming)
CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture
(2019)
Abstract
Through comparing the Hollywood films Arrival and The Shape of Water, this article explicates the films’ similar portrayals of gender, social collaboration, and monstrosity. Although the mainstream media in the United States has linked the idea of the monstrous to larger global forces, the two films suggest that “the monster” exists much closer to home. Hence, this article makes the case that monstrosity occurs in a variety of formulations such as the actions of national authorities like governmental officials that oppress and endanger a myriad of American citizens as well as newcomers. Further, this article makes the case that the films of Guillermo del Toro and Denis Villeneuve encourage viewers to reimagine the idea of monstrosity and its relationality to several spaces for the sake of the greater public good.
Keywords
- Media,
- Women,
- Popular Culture,
- Aliens,
- Science Fiction,
- Thriller,
- Transnational
Disciplines
- Arts and Humanities,
- American Studies,
- American Film Studies,
- American Popular Culture,
- Other American Studies,
- Translation Studies,
- Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies,
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies,
- Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies,
- Women's Studies,
- Film and Media Studies,
- Other Film and Media Studies,
- Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies,
- Ethnic Studies,
- Animal Studies,
- International and Area Studies,
- Political Science and
- Social Justice
Publication Date
December, 2019
Citation Information
Ed Chamberlain. "Rethinking the Monstrous: Gender, Otherness, and Space in the Cinematic Storytelling of Arrival and The Shape of Water (Forthcoming)" CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture Vol. 21 Iss. 6 (2019) ISSN: 1481-4374 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ed_chamberlain/17/