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Pixar chief creative officer Pete Docter sat down with a licensed therapist to discuss the singular arc of Buzz Lightyear in the original Toy Story, in which Buzz initially believes the fictional narrative of his name, but has an existential crisis in realizing that he is a mere toy.

Toy Story turns 30 years old this year, as it first premiered as Pixar's flagship project in 1995, going on to entirely change how animated movies are made. It is also a critical moment in the Toy Story franchise as we are less than a year out from Toy Story 5's release date, and are waiting to see if the franchise can...

A therapist breaks down the miscommunication in Denis Villeneuve's 2016 Oscar-nominated sci-fi epic Arrival. Starring Jeremy Renner as experimental physicist Ian Donnelly and Amy Adams' linguist Dr. Louise Banks, a group of scientists is tasked to learn to communicate with extraterrestrials when gigantic spaceships arrive on Earth.

As a movie that revolves almost entirely around communication, Arrival explores the impact of language on perception and how to foster an understanding between different cultures and realities. The movie grossed over $206 million worldwide against a production budget of $47 million and received eight Oscar nominations, including Best Director for Villeneuve.

Recently, licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright of Cinema Therapy sat down to discuss the 2016 movie and its approach to miscommunication and the movie's theme about knowledge and what it means to be human. In the scene where Louise, Ian, and Colonel Weber (Forest Whitaker) came together to talk about the situation early in the movie,...

Jonathan Decker, a licensed therapist, recently watched How To Train Your Dragon 2 in order to assess whether Valka is a bad mother. How To Train Your Dragon 2 follows on from the 2010 DreamWorks movie, which saw Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) become friends with a Night Fury, changing the fictional village of Berk and its perception of the relationship between Vikings and dragons. The second How To Train Your Dragon movie is set five years later, and sees Hiccup finally reunite with his long-lost mother, Valka, who apparently left her son as a child due to Berk’s mistreatment of dragons.

In a Cinema Therapy video, Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright discussed Valka’s parenting in How To Train Your Dragon 2, stating that “I feel like a lot of people online are triggered by Valka.” The main problem that Decker identifies with Hiccup’s mother in How To Train Your Dragon 2...

20 years after Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright offer their advice to Anakin and Padmé. The love story between Anakin and Padmé lies at the heart of the prequels, and their story has a lot of bumps in the road long before their fateful confrontation on Mustafar. But could the disastrous end have been averted?

The latest episode of Movie Therapy, by Jonathan Decker and Alan Seawright, offers advice to Anakin and Padmé in the hopes of salvaging their relationship - or, at least, saving Padmé's life. The two have very different opinions on the prequels, but they're both agreed that the relationship between Anakin and Padmé is deeply problematic. The key, in their view, lies in the failure to communicate.

Decker offers insight into the whole emotional rollercoaster - including the controversial Tusken Massacre - but he really focuses...

A licensed psychologist breaks down Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera) and Elphaba's (Cynthia Enviro) relationship in Wicked. The 2024 movie adaptation of the Broadway musical follows Elphaba's journey as she's set on a path to becoming The Wizard of Oz's Wicked Witch of the West, during which she also develops a friendship with Glinda, who's later known as the Good Witch. The dynamic between Elphaba and Glinda has long been a fan-favorite and received renewed attention and praise upon the release of Wicked last November.

In a video by Cinema Therapy, licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright unpack the psychology behind Glinda and Elphaba's enemies-to-besties relationship. Decker explained that Glinda loathes Elphaba at first because Elphaba doesn't worship her like the rest of her friends, and Elphaba finds it unfair that Glinda gets everything she wants. The psychologist also highlightsthe mutual jealousy between the two at the start. However, their relationship changes in the dance scene,...

After it briefly showcased a sympathetic side to the character, a psychologist is sharing why Coriolanus Snow transformed into a villain in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Based on Suzanne Collins' 2020 novel of the same name, the movie was set during the 10th annual titular event and saw a younger version of Snow, played by Tom Blyth, as he mentored District 12 Tribute, Lucy Gray Baird. While his affection for Baird nearly put him on a brighter path, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' ending would see him begin his villainous rise.

In a YouTube video uploaded by Cinema Therapy, licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright unpack Coriolanus Snow's villainous change in the Hunger Games prequel. Decker explains that while Snow genuinely cares for Lucy Gray Baird, it's "a tug of war between self-interest and compassion." In the movie, Snow is also trying to survive during the game,...

Emperor Palpatine manipulates with truth, not just lies, twisting it to his advantage. George Lucas' villain is a skilled manipulator, toying with those around him in Star Wars. Palpatine gaslights Anakin into trusting only him, using real-life manipulation techniques.

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright reveal why Emperor Palpatine, the Star Wars villain, is the ultimate manipulator. Played by Ian McDiarmid in the movies, Emperor Palpatine is the most powerful Sith Lord of all. He is also the arch-manipulator, skillfully orchestrating the invasion of Naboo, the Clone Wars, and the fall of Anakin Skywalker.

Now, licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright have cast a thoughtful eye over Palpatine's manipulation of Anakin. As they note, Palpatine coveted power on every level - both on a galactic one, and in terms of his interpersonal relationships. They identify so many techniques Palpatine used to twist Anakin to his purposes.

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker reveals that Hiccup and Astrid in the How To Train Your Dragon franchise are the perfect example of a healthy couple. The six reason why they are "couple goals" include: mutual open-mindedness, communication, understanding playful versus. hurtful teasing, united strengths, encouragement, and teamwork. The dynamic between Hiccup and Astrid is really the heart of the franchise, and the live-action How To Train Your Dragon movie will have to capture this to succeed.

According to licensed therapist Jonathan Decker, Hiccup and Astrid from How To Train Your Dragon make for quite a perfect pairing. Released in 2010, How To Train Your Dragon is directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DuBlois, loosely adapting Cressida Cowell's 2003 book of the same name. The film, which was met with overwhelmingly positive reviews, plants the seeds for a relationship between Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and Astrid (American Ferrera), which is further explored in...

A licensed therapist analyzes a Tom Riddle flashback scene in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, pointing out a red flag involving the character hurting animals, which is a sign of psychopathy. In the scene, Riddle is also constantly thinking about ways he can take advantage of others. The therapist argues that Dumbledore shouldn't have invited Riddle to Hogwarts after seeing this behavior. While more flashback scenes could have further fleshed out Voldemort/ Tom Riddle as a character, the few scenes that are present have depth and don't come at the expense of narrative pacing.

A Harry Potter flashback scene involving a young Voldemort gets put under the microscope by a licensed therapist, and he points out a glaring red flag. Serving as an adaptation of the book series by controversial author J.K. Rowling, the eight Warner Bros. movies chronicle the epic conflict between Daniel Radcliffe's Harry and Lord Voldemort,...

Real-life therapist Jonathan Decker explains that Dr. Raynor doesn't seem to be doing a good job in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, as she causes more conflict between Sam and Bucky than she resolves, and her heart isn't really in it. Dr. Raynor's unprofessional conduct is a deliberate choice by The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Bucky ends up making progress despite her terrible attempts to help him. Sam and Bucky will likely reunite in a future MCU movie, but for now, they will star in their respective movies: Sam in Captain America: Brave New World and Bucky in Thunderbolts.

Sam and Bucky's therapist in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier only caused more conflict between Steve Rogers' MCU friends, as explained by a real professional. Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes have developed one of the most unlikely friendships in the MCU, beginning with their fight as Captain America...

This post contains mentions of suicide.

The therapy scene in Ted Lasso is praised by a real therapist for its realistic portrayal and effective approach to therapy. Dr. Sharon Fieldstone's skill lies in asking open-ended questions and allowing Ted to arrive at his own breakthroughs regarding his father's death. The therapist appreciates how Dr. Fieldstone gently corrects Ted's view of his father while allowing him to come to his own realization. By asking the right questions, she helps Ted understand that his father's actions were driven by pain and not solely a reflection of his character. Overall, it is considered exemplary therapy.

Ted Lasso's emotional therapy scene gets assessed by a real therapist. Despite Ted's (Jason Sudeikis) otherwise optimistic demeanor, he was rather resistant to therapy, and even reacted negatively to the idea of it. His reluctance to open up emerges with the addition of Dr. Sharon Fieldstone (Sharon Niles...

Dr. Kinbott's sugary sweet personality on Wednesday may seem disingenuous, but it's ultimately genuine and her way of making people feel comfortable in therapy. The production design and wardrobe of Dr. Kinbott in Wednesday indicate that her sweet and friendly appearance reflects her true self. Dr. Kinbott's caring and affectionate nature make her a potentially effective therapist.

A licensed therapist is investigating the effectiveness of Dr. Valerie Kinbott, the therapist from Wednesday. After being sent to Nevermore Academy after assaulting a classmate, Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) must also see a therapist. Over the course of the show, Kinbott (Riki Lindhome) grows close to Wednesday and even helps her make several breakthroughs. While her personality often grates on the young Addams, Kinbott always tries to help her.

Every member of Wednesday's cast is a bizarre and larger-than-life figure. In investigating Kinbott, Cinema Therapy explored the sheer challenges of a therapist intervening in support of Wednesday.

Frasier's role as a therapist was a significant part of his life in Seattle, and his desire to help others balanced out his sometimes annoying persona. The Frasier reboot should bring back the therapist aspect for the sake of storytelling, even if it doesn't revive his old radio persona. Reflecting on Frasier's session with his mentor highlights his tendency to keep people at arm's length, which may be hindering his happiness. Being a therapist again could help him realize this.

A real therapist applauds one of the most emotional scenes in the original Frasier show. Kelsey Grammer's Frasier Crane may not be doing a lot of therapy work in the Frasier reboot on Paramount+, but it was a big part of his life during his 11 years in Seattle. While Niles often poked fun at his stint as a radiotherapist, there were several ways that the NBC series was able...

Jake Sully's parenting style in Avatar: The Way of Water is analyzed by a therapist, who describes his "lopsided" approach that prioritizes toughness over showing love. Jake's military background and experiences with death shape his parenting style and desire to protect his children from suffering the same fate as others in the sequel. Jake's harsh and critical behavior, even when his sons are not in danger, shows a lack of balance and separation between his military persona and fatherhood.

Jake Sully’s unique parenting style in Avatar: The Way of Water is analyzed by a professional therapist. The Avatar sequel continues Jake and Neytiri's story from the original movie by expanding their family. Now introducing a new dynamic, the Sully family raises four kids – Kiri, Neteyam, Lo’ak, and Tuk – along with a foster relationship with Norm’s human child Spider.

In a reaction video with Cinema Therapy, therapist...

In Avatar: The Way of Water, Neteyam's death deeply affects Jake and Neytiri, with Neytiri becoming consumed by grief and Jake blaming their youngest son, Lo'ak. Neteyam's death sets up strong potential for future character arcs in Avatar 3 and beyond, as Jake and Neytiri seek retribution against Quaritch and their other children navigate their own paths of revenge or healing. The tragedy could have a profound influence on Lo'ak, making him either more cautious about protecting his siblings or leading him down a dark path of pain and regret.

Avatar: The Way of Water's most tragic death, as well as Jake and Neytiri's response, gets analyzed by a therapist. Set sixteen years after the first film, the sequel finds Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri's (Zoe Saldaña) Na'vi family under the threat of a recombinant Quaritch (Stephen Lang) as they seek refuge with the aquatic Metkayina clan. During the final battle,...

Wade from Elemental connects with others easily through care and compassion, a psychological technique called "joining." Elemental initially struggled but later became a comeback story, finding its audience and earning $489 million worldwide. Positive opinions like that of therapist Jonathan Decker could contribute to an even bigger comeback for Elemental and the possibility of a sequel.

A therapist explains how Elemental's Wade connects with other people so easily through real-life psychological concepts. Elemental follows the story of Wade Ripple and Ember Lumen as they figure out life in a city where fire, water, earth, and air-based denizens cohabitate. Wade, a water element, is a highly emotional figure who has a strong sense of empathy and compassion for others.

Professional therapist Jonathan Decker breaks down the psychology of Wade in a new video from Cinema Therapy. Encouraging audiences to “be a Wade,” Decker praised Wade's character throughout the video. What Wade does so well in Elemental,...

A new video discusses how Rocket Raccoon's story in the MCU was focused on his healing journey and overcoming trauma, which reached its conclusion in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Through the course of the Guardians of the Galaxy films and Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, Rocket evolved from a hesitant and mistrustful character to a strong leader and valued member of a community. While it is uncertain when or if Rocket will return in future MCU projects, his character development and emotional arc have made him a standout in the franchise.

In unpacking Rocket Raccoon's MCU story, a licensed therapist explains how Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 nailed the ending for the character. Writer and director James Gunn was responsible for bringing the Guardians of the Galaxy to live-action and introducing them to the Marvel Cinematic Universe nearly a decade ago. Ever since the series began, Gunn was adamant that it was,...

Henry Cavill's portrayal of Superman in the Dceu, starting from "Man of Steel," is examined by a therapist, discussing his personal conflicts and journey. The Identity Status Theory is used to understand Cavill's Superman and how his perspective on responsibility as the Last Son of Krypton evolves over time. Despite some narrative choices being criticized, Cavill's work as Superman is widely appreciated, and many feel that Warner Bros. missed out on fully utilizing his potential in the DC projects.

Henry Cavill's Superman is revisited and explained by a therapist. 2023 marks the 10th year anniversary of Cavill's debut as Clark Kent. The actor is Zack Snyder's inaugural hero for the Dceu via Man of Steel and appeared in a total of five films, including Zack Snyder's Justice League on HBO Max (currently called Max). Despite being a fan favorite, Cavill's stint as Superman was tumultuous, resulting in his abrupt...

A therapist breaks down the smash hit horror movie M3GAN and proclaims it spot-on in its psychology, except for one correction. Released in early 2023, M3GAN rode a hugely successful viral marketing campaign to gross $179 million worldwide on a budget of $12 million. It’s since been revealed that there’s more killer doll mayhem coming, as a M3GAN sequel is confirmed to be in the works.

As horror fans await more news on the promised M3GAN 2, a therapist has looked back at the first film and broke down its handling of matters like childhood grief, revealing that there’s more to M3GAN than just a wild horror movie. Appearing on the series Cinema Therapy, therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright tackled M3GAN’s depiction of child psychology, and gave the film high marks for believability. “It’s really smart, really dramatically sound, well-acted, really funny, and clinically spot-on,” Decker proclaimed in his final diagnosis.

Amy Schumer, best known for her stand up comedy routines and her comedic films, is taking a dramatic turn, coming aboard a new biopic based on the life of female boxing champion Christy Martin. Schumer will star as Martin, who helped legitimize the sport of female boxing in the 1990s, even appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated at one time. This biopic is described as a gritty drama, which will be quite a different turn for Schumer, that will showcase Martin's triumphs in the ring, and her troubles outside the ring that nearly left her dead.

Christy Martin was born Christy Salters in Mullins, West Virginia, and she attended Concord College in Athens, West Virginia on a basketball scholarship, where she earned a degree in education. She first started fighting in "Toughwoman" competitions where she won three titles, before transitioning to boxing in 1989, at the age of 21. After starting...