Deadpool: The Ugliness of Trauma (Video Essay)
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- A video essay about Deadpool, Marvel's X-Men franchise, and the themes of dealing with PTSD and reclaiming your mental health. Featuring detours into Spaghetti Westerns, religious manipulation, love stories, and a few too many Tarantino references.
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Deadpool, directed by Tim Miller, debuted in 2016 and was pretty well an overnight modern classic. There had been rumblings of a full feature since Ryan Reynolds portrayed a version of Wade in X-Men Origins, but it was really after the “leaked” test footage that the idea of a hard-R superhero action flick really started to enchant the popular consciousness. If 2012’s Avengers was a John Wayne movie, then Deadpool was a Sergio Leone or a Coen Brothers.
Deadpool was conceived by Rob Liefield as a parody of DC’s Deathstroke, taking aim at the brutal, gritty, and dark anti-heroes that were becoming oversaturated in geek culture. However, he was revolutionary in that his appeal was both surface level AND academic as he became more three-dimensional. Wade Wilson is to superhero literature what Hunter S Thompson was to Journalism; an insane shot in the arm, a new method of presentation where a garish, freak show exterior is the means to explore incredibly existential, uncomfortable, and deep-seated questions about society and the human condition.
And the reason the movie succeeds is by expanding on this. It perfectly zeroes in on two interlinked, indelible aspects of Deadpool’s character: Trauma and Ugliness.
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Really Deadpool is the physical embodiment of “FUCK being the bigger person, i’m shooting them in the ass” and that seems to be an oddly universal feeling.
- Makes one of the best video essays on the site
- Leaves
- Doesn’t elaborate
I an glad they created this at all. Truly a beautiful piece of art. I hope wherever they are they are doing alright.
@@Ekim2F94 same
quality over quantity
It feels like they just had something to say and said it.
It's a shame though, I'd love to hear more about their take on Solo.
Maybe it’s better that way, but yeah knowing more about this RUclipsr would be nice
“I plan to make this a regular thing”
*3 years later*
I just watched Deadpool 1 again the other day, I was struck by how prominently the character’s trauma informs everything he does. The sarcastic annoying chatterbox is all a front to avoid confronting his broken soul. I found it very powerful that he’s completely at the mercy of the scientists, but by annoying them relentlessly he has power over them. He’s the one strapped to a table, but he lives rent free in Francis’ head bc he just wont shut the fuck up.
I kind of wish Deadpool's perpetual physical pain and illness, which mirrors/exacerbates his mental anguish and mental health problems, was more present. He still has cancer, it's just constantly healing, and his body and sores are constantly shifting. Deadpool is in CONSTANT physical pain in the comics and not just from general violence and healing from it, but from literally just physically existing. It's a much better reflection of physical disability and not just disfigurement impacting mental health on top of PTSD and being basically unrecognizable. It's not just scarring. It's open wounds and lesions that basically never fully "heal". He'll always have the scars and open wounds, he'll always have the physical pain, and he'll always be mentally ill, the fact that he HAS to learn how to live because he CAN'T kill himself no matter how inventively he tries, and his slow, slow growth and constant struggle was SO insanely remarkable and meaningful to me because of it.
i recently started getting back into the deadpool fandom. As a child, i was so attached to him, but i never understood why. Now that i’ve grown and matured more i realized that i tend to attach myself to characters who struggle with unresolved trauma and cover it up. Whether it be putting up a whole new facade or using humor. Recently when I rewatched the movies i sobbed. I genuinely sobbed. It hit me like a bus realizing WHY i was so attached to deadpool. I want to fit in, I want to be ok, I want things to never change. But none of it goes my way. And i had to learn to deal with it all on my own. And holy crap; I will always love how his struggles were portrayed. I feel so seen.
Perfectly stated
now you have me wondering why so many of my favourite characters have personality issues/disorders...
@@xXJAng3lXxx probably because they allow us to see aspects of our own identities
yes yes yes this exactly.
I had no idea this was gonna hit so hard, this is so well written & I loved every minute of it! Well done Sir.
Really glad you enjoyed it. I feel like a lot of people view Deadpool as a joke character or only see the surface level, but he's seriously one of the most emotionally poignant characters in comic book media if you go looking for it. Thank you so much for the kind comment.
@@gonzocapulet9786 Love the honesty, subscribed, hope you make more essays like this, looking forward to your comeback! 💯🙂
@@gonzocapulet9786i saw someone point out that wade, logan and Peter Parker are the most emotionally deep and damaged characters in marvel, and they are the ones that half to make the hardest choices
“Choose not to be harmed and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed, and you haven’t been... Today I escaped harm; I discarded it, because recognized that it was within me, in my own perceptions and not outside.”
-Marcus Aurelius
I've loved deadpool for years and this video explains exactly what deadpool is, he's not just funny like everyone thinks so thankyou sir for validating what I think about the character.
In the comics as well Wade represents trauma. His parents mistreated him leaving him to bring trauma to others in his life. He was SAed by Typhoid Mary after finally rehabilitating himself only to spiral back in and hurt his friends. Wade is literally Marvel’s Guts from Berserk.
Seeing this after just having seen Deadpool and Wolverine really rounds the experience out. Wade is able to live as himself now, having found a way to overcome his own hang ups and move forward even as he continues to act immature, in the end able to reach out to someone in a similar situation and help them come out of it. It all comes full circle. Excellent work!
come back please bro this is peak video essay content
Creates RUclips channel
Uploads a banger video
Refuses to elaborate
Leaves
What a badass
Knowing he may never return makes me wish to be more alert to if he ever does. +1 subscriber
From one ex Mormon to another. I feel you brother.
9:06 This. This is what frustrates me so much about hearing people say "But all the difficulties taught you something, right?"
Trauma doesn't teach; you have to teach yourself and learn in order to live WITH the trauma, and what you learn by examining it and building yourself up is where the wisdom is acquired. It's terrifying, and difficult, and you never feel like you're done, and exhausting to do so much work just to get to what you feel is everyone else's starting point. Trauma is not the lesson, it's something that you can learn from, or be destroyed by.
only one video ?? This was just on my timeline, For this being 3yrs old its such good analysis of wade! I hope you come back with more bangers like this
Bro literally made one of the best video essays on RUclips and dipped. :((
Bro seriously, come back.
You literally ate and left no crumbs. Amazing video. Loved every bit of it.
I can tell this movie means a lot to you and this dissection of it is phenomenal! You have permanently improved my viewing experience for this movie.
Yeah, I have may laid my soul bare for RUclips dot com a little soon, huh? Haha
@@gonzocapulet9786 I have so much respect for you, I mean coming out with such an honest and open video as your first RUclips video, it takes a lot. I admire you and I really hope this RUclips thing works out for you. You have real talent.
When the world needed him most, he vanished.
Bro you legit only have one video?!! I was actually looking forward to more
Man it frustrates me to no end when this character is flanderized into “funny haha meme fourth wall break potty humor ultra-violence” because holy shit he is clearly so much more than that. Hes a broken person who uses all of those things to mask and distract from his pain.
Don't give up you're gonna make it big, especially with this type of heartfelt content.
Did they really just come out here upload the best Deadpool video essay and dip? Did that just happen?
Aw, man, that genuinely made me tear up a little bit. Thank you so much!
@@gonzocapulet9786come back ho! We all miss you 💔💔💔
I did not expect this to be so serious about Deadpool of all things
This was so well-written! Hearing this has made me respect the movie and the acting even more than I already did. (also your voice is very calming, you just sound trustworthy and nice)
Maybe I'll have to do the next video in ASMR :P
MAKE MORE! MAKE MORE! MAKE MORE!
I'll have to start video wrangling for one of the scripts I have finished :D
I don't really like superhero movies but I love Deadpool. Traditional Superheroes usually have struggles but they remain unaffected by the way that trauma drastically broadens your perspective. The other reason I love Deadpoool, that wasn't talked about here, is his inner monologue as a jumble of different persona's all chattering at the same time, while not all trauma victims experience this, it's a fairly accurate representation of how I experience my own inner monologue.
I am glad this movie got made and that Ryan Reynolds has made so many people feel seen.
This is such a hot take! I love everything about this. The emotional beats in the movie means so much more to me now. Thank you so much for putting this together
I know that the marketing for the movie leaned into Deadpool's crassness, but it really is one of the most emotionally resonant comic book movies I've seen in a long time. Thank you for watching!
amazing essay, im just speechless. great stuff. such a good anaylisis and so well edited. its great that you managed to get out of that situation despite of how hard it mustve been. im glad youtube recommended this to me
I watch a lot of video essays. I'll remember this one for a long time. It's so well-written and researched. It also helped me. Thank you.
dude this essay is awesome. great job.
Thank you you for such a kind comment!
This is such a good essay I love it so much!. this movie and the second one means a lot to me,and I fell like you explained exactly why better than I could ever do. I remember when I first saw both movies and loving them so much but also felling disheartened when people I care about didn’t see what I was seeing in them I think I will just show them your video if we ever talk about again. I can’t wait to see your essay about the second one and any future videos.
The second one has such wonderful themes of found family and evolving beyond your pain, it really expands on what made the first one great. I'm really excited to dive into the sequel, hopefully soon! Thank you for the comment.
It’s been three years, strike again my man
I absolutely love this video! Obviously this meant a lot to you and it shows. It would be awesome to see more from you and your channel! I'm a huge fan of your writing style and in-depth analysis that I haven't seen/heard anywhere else before! Definitely subbed in hopes of more amazing new content!
I can’t say that I ever really comment on videos, but this was actually incredibly phenomenal. Wade really holds a special place in my heart and Deadpool has been a reoccurring hyperfixation for a few years now. I feel like you’ve really managed to give voice to the jumbled and tangled thoughts I have about him.
You my friend are underrated, I also grew up Mormon and while I was younger, it did damage relationships and still somewhat does. You have earned this sub and I look forward to seeing more masterpieces
to bad everybody thinks that deapool is just a meme character that's solely there for terrible jokes because of the 2013 game
This is the best Deadpool movie essay I have ever watched Maybe even the best movie essay I've ever watched, I've always loved Deadpool now I even love him more I might even read some comics of him love your style of work really hit me with this video super well done fantastic work also worded greatly i can tell this movie means alot too you
Great video man. I’m sorry to hear about your experience. You’ve got a new subscriber right here.
this is such a well scripted video. the way you illustrated each point gave me chills and wow I just can't elaborate how amazing of a video essay this is
250 subs is a crime. Having discovered this after a few days of not sleeping (heavy insomnia; byproduct of trauma eh) this video is resounding, and you convey and articulate the thoughts and feelings of those who've suffered. Thank you not only for the well-put-together video, but for being able to open up of your experiences as well.
Nice video u gonna go places
i always wondered why i identified so fucking hard with him and you've absolutely put it concisely into words. i've watched the newest movie 5 times and it has hit me harder and harder every single time.
this is incredible.
I really was not expecting this video essay to hit me as much as it did. I already loved Deadpool, but you've made me appreciate the character so much more with this essay. Your message at the end was incredible. I can tell how much went into making this and honestly thank you so much ! It's a shame I'm 2 years late to this video, but I'm glad to have found it nonetheless. I really hope to see more videos from you !
yeah... after watching deadpool and wolverine, i went to watch the first deadpool movie. and GOD it hit me hard. underneath the many things that make deadpool a VERY fun character to write for and see stories about is a very harrowing story that's since stolen my heart. ryan reynolds has done us all a big service by getting these movies made despite everything- they heavily resonated with me and anyone else who's ever suffered from any form of trauma.
Well shit. I’m in shock, I love watching under-viewed videos for this. Sir this was one of the most amazingly written video essays, I’ve ever watched. When I tell I’ll watching more when they come out- (even if I have no idea about the movies or characters) -I’m telling truth. Hands down to you 🙌 I wish you allll the best in your yt channel. Promise your amazing quality won’t go down when you make it big!
11:40 I’m so sorry to hear that man, I struggle with an eating disorder as well and have lost over 17lb of fat and muscle, I’m 24 now and a former shell of who I was once was. Even worse knowing that you live in a first world country and you still struggle to provide yourself with 2 meals a day
Because of this video I am a new subscriber. Thank you for this video. It was very impactful and I look at the film differently.
Dude come back! This was beautiful and you have a gift and more importantly a new subscriber! Lets go!!!
I absolutely love this, Thank you. My initials aren't my only similarity to Wade Wilson and your amazing video has spelled that out. Such an understanding of trauma , PTSD, and its effects.... Wow, l Iove this.
So glad I found this, it was great, thanks for uploading this, hope you're doing good!
when you brought up mormons i was shook lol and you started talking and i could tell you grew up with it like me and ive also always said it was a cult too
Not Mormon but as someone with a unfortunate past with the evangelical church it was surprising and uncomfortable but cathartic to see in a marvel character analysis
This was genuinely stunning! These kind of essays are sometimes hit or miss for me, but this was a Big Hit. You really eloquently captured how trauma changes a person, and how growing from it is so hard, and doesn't leave you unloveable.
I was thrilled to find your channel, and mortified to discover youve been gone for 3 years. If you ever see this, know that, as a fellow survivor of sexual abuse, I sincerely thank and empathise with you regarding the topics raised in this video. Wherever you are, I wish you nothing but the best life has to offer.
I was gonna but this on while I fall asleep but I genuinely was gripped by every second of this video that I delayed my sleep even further. It's crazy how this is the only video on this channel, holy shit
why on earth did you only make a single video? come back!
100th comment btw lol you should be proud you got so many talking
Watched it crying. Amazing. Thank you.
Props man. You're a sharp guy. Subbed.
Thanks for making this. It really highlighted to me exactly why I connected to this character. Turns out, ugly can be really relatable. Thanks bro
23:10
A quote from Deadpool comic "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly", about Wade seeing his daughter for the first (and only) time:
"Carmelita...I think she found me a few years back and hit me up for child support. I can kind of remember laughing her off. I told Carmelita that she was running a scam. And that it was impossible her baby could be mine. She was too beautiful."
Amazing take, loved this :)
Hope he comes back. Would love one on Wolverine
Beautiful video!
I'm glad I found this
This was simply amazing! So happy for you that you got out of that situation! As an atheist, I'm even more happy! :D
I really appreciate you taking the time to say that. It's always good to feel supported, even these years later.
@@gonzocapulet9786 Well one has to give credit where it’s due! I hope your channel flourishes!
@@gonzocapulet9786 Actually, I would like to see you "debunk: Elliot from Mr. Robot! That would be fun to watch :)
I love deadpool as he is what i relate to the most and the only 2 other marvel characters i relate to is wolverine and spiderman which is why i think they in universe get along because all three vsn in some way relate to one another
LOVE REALLY DOES CONQUER ALL
😭😭😭😭
Such a great video!!!
This is REALLY good man… Keep it up. 🙏🏼🤙🏼👏🤟🏻💙
This was simply amazing
great video! hope you upload more too
If you like Deadpool you’ll love the audio drama Red Valley, its also an raunchy comedy and deep exploration of trauma and PTSD. Its a sci fi too
This is an amazing video, mad props!
Well f*cling done! Now where is that sequel!
Sooooooo underated great video amazing work!
hang in there man, you are not alone
Wow - this really made me view the character in a new light - or at least crystalise.. the light that.. was already there. thank you
Best essay on deadpool, really interesting dialog about trauma keep up
Gonzo! Have you seen 97' and Deadpool & Wolverine, yet!?
We gotta talk about it!
This is bloody brilliant, you should do one for Logan and other really really really really really good movies
They made one video and its been seen 37k times in three years, damn!
Wow, thank you for sharing this.
Holy smokes this was so good... It touched me.. Thank you❤
This is fucking amazing. Thank you.
congratulations for having survived that Trauma. I know it can be quite hard
I grew up very Mormon to the point of generations of my family were dedicated Mormons. I can’t even explain the guilt and joyless environment that is within the youth groups. My mom and I finally excommunicated ourselves and saw beyond the lies this church was constantly telling itself and it’s members. The Mormon brainwashing trauma effects my life to this day on my concept of family and overall unsatisfied reality of my family.
Great analysis! 💪🏽 will be on the lookout for more videos
Amazing!! Nuff said👌🏾❤️
Hey man, this is great work that you did. Well done.
Good video. Really hit the nail on the head!
This was amazing on all levels
one absolute banger then dips
You are a really genius guy.
Hey man just saying if you ever dropped another video I would be right there. Got you on bell.
Dude this video is so good
Yeah good start I like it, god job 👍
Hey, thanks for talking about mormanism. It's been a few years now, I'm glad I was able to leave before having to serve a mission, and also was abused under the leadership. Appreciate it mate, keep it up.
I want to see him team up with frank castle…