Colossal

Gloria, played by Anne Hathaway, is the main protagonist in the 2016 fantasy drama film Colossal. Her life is turned upside down when her partner, Oscar, (played by Dan Stevens), leaves her due to her extensive drinking problem and apparent lack of motivation in life. Gloria, struggling to cope with the loss of their relationship, is forced to move back in with her mother, Harriet (played by Caroline Williams). Her childhood home, which hasn't changed much since she lived there, becomes a constant reminder of her failures and shortcomings. Gloria is in search of a new job but is met with rejection from various companies, further disheartening her and driving her deeper into her depression. Meanwhile, in South Korea, a giant monster emerges from the earth, wreaking havoc on the countryside. As people panic and try to make sense of the creature's motives, Gloria's life spirals out of control. At a local bar, she meets her eccentric acquaintance, Martine (played by Austin Stowell). The two bond over their shared difficulties and awkward encounters. Unbeknownst to Gloria, she has an unusual connection to the monster. Through the help of her therapist, Park (played by Jason Sudeikis), she begins to realize that she and the creature are somehow linked. Whenever she leaves her childhood home, the monster wreaks havoc on the opposite side of the globe, seemingly mimicking her emotions. As Gloria's perception of reality shifts, the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur. Her apparent relationship with the monster creates a link to her conflicted self-image and her sense of responsibility. Gloria starts attending group therapy sessions twice a week in a search for self-awareness, learning strategies to cope with her emotions. As she struggles to acknowledge her role in the destruction unfolding thousands of miles away, Gloria makes a series of choices, including befriending a lone Japanese girl named Ame, and eventually reuniting with Martine and his charming American cousin, George. Upon her revelation that the destruction from the monster is a direct representation of her negative emotions, Gloria receives glimpses of insight into herself. The monster serves as a tangible expression of Gloria's inner turmoil and pain – symbolizing her internal conflict of not being in touch with her own life. Gloria discovers through a series of self-actualizing moments that she can communicate with the monster through a link tied to their profound similarity – emotional intensity and suppressed aggression tied to trauma and frustration. With this newfound understanding of herself, Gloria develops self-awareness and makes amends for the destruction caused by her actions. She accepts full responsibility and seeks to alter the way she expresses her feelings and frustrations, ultimately beginning the healing process. The film introduces various themes of identity, crisis, and self-discovery in an unexpected and visual way. In the context of its out-of-space scope, Colossal showcases a narrative depth in dealing with grief, self-harm, loss, trauma, love and emotional weight, in turn crafting a powerful exploration of love's real potential in the form of 'living'.