The Allure of a Lonely Protagonist (Video Essay) 

I think there's 2 different types of loneliness, maybe they already have names idk. But there's having literally no one to speak to, and then there's having no one WORTH talking to - a complete lack of any real developed connections. I definitely relate more to the second. Similar to the "being alone in a room full of people" saying. I've always related to lonely & more isolated characters and even considered making a video on it. I think what makes these types of works hit so much harder is that the work themselves are inherently just more intimate with the consumer. Games like Nier Automata and Death Stranding, or movies like Blade Runner 2049, is mostly spent with one person that barely even says anything - navigating through a vast landscape with so much beauty yet seemingly nothing to do in it that embraces that. When you spend a LOT of time alone and especially with your thoughts, that's exactly what life is like, but on a big display. Not to mention, you're also seeing something that is inherently kept to yourself being put on display. It's nice to see that something so personal, intimate, and perhaps even indescribable, exists in some type of work. Cause it's really all about the feeling. Helps take the load off mentally/emotionally at times I think. You're able to SHARE that lonely feeling with something, ironically. I think some of this is also what I'd maybe call, the passenger effect? Where you very much still are the focal point of life in your reality, but relative to everything else, you're still just a passenger like everyone else. Going where might still be undetermined, but still. I like feeling "small" in such a big world. It's comforting. Possibly even freeing I guess? Because it allows me to remember that I'm still just human, and it's okay to not be something greater 24/7. It's okay to just exist. That's how I've evolved to feel about these type of works at least, which now that I think about it, is probably a very big sign of my own growth. Good video.

My man, this was a really great video. You have an especially jarring way of saying 'movie', but who gives a crap when you make wonderfully eloquent and profound videos like this :P Keep going, if you want to, you know; you're very good at this.

The ur-lonesome (not lonely, incels) protagonist is probably James Bond, or John Wayne’s character. Important point - all of these characters are MASSIVELY flawed.

Mad Max. I think that he is a great character despite the lack of real personality that a lot of other popular characters have. I can relate to that because I’ve always been told that I’m too shy or plain, but it’s what happens to the character that’s more important to his story. He’s just a victim to the circumstances around him that he has no control of. That’s the tragedy that turned a genuinely good person into the empty chaotic man he has become.

blessing stranded brought me and i couldnt me more happy without how this video turned out(batman is literally me)

Great video! For me not a movie character but I relate most to Sisyphus. Feels like everytime I'm nearing the top of the hill, the rock slips and rolls back down...

This is one of the best video essays I have seen in a while

This is wonderfully made, I loved this.

Scars give you the power to endure

Theres a line in a German song by fynn kliemann (whom I'd like to distance myself from, he did very disgusting things) that summarises this quite well for me. It's from his song "Eine Minute" and it's the line right before the chorus. It reads "Weil jeder Einsame jemand einsames braucht" - "Because every loner needs someone else who feels lonely". That sums it up for me quite well.

I've got two options of relating to lonely protagonist: First one is just the unknown character in FPS games or RPG, we can watching his hands only, how he communicating through using items, his weapon, now words - only action. For me Artem from METRO it's good example for it. Second one - it's really opposite of what was previous one. It's Zuko. it's going deep in my childhood, when I have no connection to my parents, especially with father. And what I was always do to struggle it - it's express myself through martial arts. I was really young, got good flexibility and strength, tried to do some movies from Avatar (lighting generation like Iroh teach Zuko, for example). So, there are my examples.

I mean all the Ryan gosling characters are good to relate, but kayla from eight grade really hit the nail when i watched it. I have never seen a good movie that depicted anxiety on young people the way that movie did.

I relate to Elliot from Mr Robot

I was just watching couple hours ago a playthrough of bioshock and thinking about forgetting how awesome that quote was (Man chooses, A slave obeys).. and now it has referenced here too.. Is the uneverse trying to tell me something or I’m too hippie watching random videos and thinking shit while smoking blunts?

ted mosby; literally me

Amazing. Well done. And agreed on probably all points.

Dr.Strange. %100. I know the potential I have. I know what complete belief in oneself can do to others who witness. The good, the bad. The great, the worst. Dr.Strange not only for his physical skills with the body, but mental skills with magic. My God complex is leashed by the realization that in order for a God to exist, PEOPLE need to believe in it. Without others I cannot and would not be able to do anything. It is the collective as a whole that permits the individual to have a taste of freedom.

The protagonist from The Conversation

Me fr

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Loved this video, amazing content🫶 I relate to Claire Underwood from house of cards, her determination to get power and achieve her goals is inspirational