The video essay critiques the "abduction as romance" trope, which is a media convention where a man kidnaps or imprisons a woman, and she eventually falls in love with him. This trope is traced back to ancient literature and was popular in classic Hollywood. The video essay uses the movie "Passengers" as an example of this trope.
Jim, a passenger aboard a starship, wakes up from hibernation too early and finds himself destined to live and die alone on the ship. He becomes obsessed with another sleeping passenger, Aurora, and sabotages her hibernation pod to be with her. However, this narrative is problematic because it portrays Jim as a decent guy who is justified in his actions.
The essay argues that the trope is troubling because it romanticizes kidnapping and abuse. It presents the abductor as a hero, even though he violates Aurora's rights and autonomy. The essay also points out that this trope is often used by screenwriters to bring two unlikely characters together.
The video essay also discusses the concept of Stockholm Syndrome, which is when a kidnapping victim sympathizes with their kidnapper. However, it argues that this trope shifts the blame onto the victim, undermining her character.
The essay ends by criticizing the idea that violent men can change through love. It argues that real redemption requires taking responsibility for one's actions and undergoing self-transformation, which is rarely portrayed in Hollywood. The essay calls for the retirement of the "abduction as romance" trope.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The text is a transcript of a video essay about the abduction as romance trope in media.
2. The trope involves a man kidnapping or imprisoning a woman and then she eventually falls in love with him.
3. The trope is an example of an abuse trope, where the abductor engages in red flag behaviors such as force, threats, control, and isolation.
4. The trope excuses and romanticizes the violent behavior of abusive men and implies that they can be changed by the right woman.
5. The trope is harmful because it can lead people to remain in abusive relationships and it does not hold the abusers accountable for their actions.
6. The text gives examples of the trope from movies such as Passengers, Beauty and the Beast, Terminator, V for Vendetta, and others.
7. The text argues that the trope needs to be retired and that writers should find other ways to create on-screen relationships.