Psychology of a Hero: MATILDA

How do you turn a negative emotion or experience into a superpower?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright react to Matilda and her journey through childhood trauma. Jonathan shares what Matilda does that leads her to a happier and healthier life and how she stands up for others who face similar hardship. They talk about the difference between standing up for yourself and retaliating… and why retaliation is much more fun in movies. And Alan explains why the narration and over-the-top physical acting work when they often don’t.

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Cinema Therapy is:
Written by: Megan Seawright, Jonathan Decker, and Alan Seawright
Produced by: Jonathan Decker, Megan Seawright, Alan Seawright, and Corinne Demyanovich
Edited by: Jenna Schaelling
Director of Photography: Bradley Olsen
English Transcription by: Anna Preis

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[Jonathan_Collins]

The more you watch Matilda, the more you realize it's a story about a girl escaping an abusive family rather than a girl with power.

[fafolguy]

What I love about Roald Dahl's stories is they give kids in horrible situations the opportunity to make things better, but without just magically fixing everything. Telekinesis alone doesn't solve Matilda's home life, the peach doesn't give James comfort and love, the golden ticket doesn't eliminate Charlie's family's poverty. Instead, the kids have to use those opportunities in the right way to make things better, and usually that involves some selflessness and loyalty to others. It's a great lesson in not relying on magic to make things better, but to use one's gifts to improve their experience and the experience of those they care for.

[BatAmerica]

The fact that Danny DeVito played such a realistic abusive monster while being the polar opposite in real life shows why he is such a classic actor.

[keiiita]

"was that smart?" "i think it was human" is going to stay seared into my brain forever, i think my life just changed a little bit

[LivingFire_BurningFlame]

Love her or hate her, there's no denying Matilda was a savage. I mean, she was really carrying around adoption papers ready to ditch her family at any given oportunity. 😂

[nekokaitou]

I really liked that the movie was filmed from a child perspective. Trunchbull looming over the camera and the viewer, while Miss Honey bent down to be at eyes level. Also, I loved that the 90's version didn't shy back from showing the nasty and cruel stuff while still making it hilarious because you knew Trunchbull will get the payback she deserved.

[karrihart]

I love how you address that standing up for yourself can mean putting yourself and others in danger (physically, emotionally, financially, etc). This is what people who say "Well why didn't they come forward sooner about their abuse?" refuse to understand.

[hypnotherapy]

"You where born in to a family that dosn´t always apreciate you, but one day things are going to be very diffrent". I remember the first time I heard that line as an 8 year old with an active stomach ulcer and suicidal ideation from severe stress/burn out and not feeling so alone anymore. Now thanks to a lot of self reflection, choosen family and a cat I´m 34 and in a better place, well atleast not 8 and puking blood anymore...

[sneakerbeeker]

Miss Honey is one of my favorite characters of all time. She is a hero in her own right. To go through the things she has gone through and remain kind? To not completely crumble? To remain in the orbit of her abuser and help those kids to the best of her ability? Heroic stuff.

[heidireinecke]

"If you can convince someone their house is haunted, you probably should" is, I think, the greatest thing any third best friend has ever said.

[crayfish]

I do love how Danny DiVito, outside of his character was in fact a decent role model for the actress that played Matilda while her mother was in the Hospital

[georgewilliamson]

"Its the hobbit!"
"Danny Devito's autobiobraghy."

Thats a line I think we should all recognize here and give a gold star.

[thediamonddragon]

I found out that during filming Mara's mother was having cancer treatment, so Danny DeVito comforted mara through filming and before her mother passed he showed her the final edit of the film in the hospital so she could see Mara's performance. Danny DeVito is awesome for that.

[_-atlas_]

I don't think that there is a quote that sends me on a sobbing spree as much as the "you've been born into a family that doesn't always appreciate you..." one.

As a closeted ftm kid who's trying to unlearn all the hatred that mainly his brother pumped into him from a young age, it just punches me into the gut everytime.

[yb]

I had a love hate relationship with this movie because it made me believe I could develop superpowers for one and that school was basically getting yeeted by teachers all day.

[oliviacase]

Matilda is the only character in film I've ever related to and identified with. My favorite line of all time is "Because she's a spectacularly wonderful child and I love her." As an autistic little girl who didn't fit in the world around her being raised by a mother addicted to drugs and gambling and a father who hustled and traded cars, all I wanted was to hear Miss Honey's loving, protective words from my own mother. I'm 31 now and still working through the trauma of feeling resented and forgotten in that home.

I still watch Matilda to connect with my inner child.

[thewikiddreamer]

To this day, this movie taught me the greatest lesson in motherhood: being able to honestly admit when you're not a good fit. Mrs. Wormwood acknowledges that not only does she not know her little girl, she never will because of her own vices. Instead, she does what's best for her daughter and asks "Who's gotta pen?" and, like the movie says, does the first & ironically last right thing they'd ever do for Matilda: give her a better life than they ever could. I will forever praise this movie. I dare say its better than the book in some places and LEAGUES better than that musical. Just...just *why??*

[ShadowDrakken]

I turned my trauma into unwavering commitment and righteous anger. I cannot be bought, my morals do not bend, and I will defend what I believe in on behalf of the people who can't. And I've clawed my way up to the point where I can afford to be that person for others.

[eugesaurus]

Miss Honey was the teacher we all wish we had growing up 😢

[angelbaby]

Growing up as a young autistic girl who routinely had her talents and capabilities discredited, challenged, or misinterpreted due to the selfish and defensive environment around her-- I loved this movie as a child. It takes great courage to recognize your own strengths and reaffirm that you are worthy of proper care and attention, especially when you are being told otherwise, especially as a child. I think the movie did a fantastic job of capturing how Matilda's self-validation is truly her biggest superpower, and seeing her 'powers' grow as a physical manifestation of her confidence made 8 year old me feel powerful, myself. Thank you guys for covering this movie, I love your additions/insights into the psychology and filming style, keep it up please 🎀