We are opposed to the idea of cannibalism and how it is the worst part of human nature. Comparing it to love seems unlikely, even crazy. It has become more of a trend in recent years with newer artworks, like movies, films, and other media types.
The description of cannibalism as a symbol for love could be a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The movies “Bones and All,””Fresh,” and “Yellow Jackets” all portray themes of consuming people. The reason that it sparked after COVID was the desire for “escapism.” An instance of this typical “escapist” behavior are the many movies after 9/11; the rise of “Marvel” movies came in this time frame. In a sense, Americans turned into superheroes to rewrite the tragedies of 9/11.
More and more, after COVID-19, people have looked for escape from their daily lives, pushed by the fact that many people were alone and scared. The idea of longing for someone so deeply and a desperation for physical and emotional closeness is exactly what we were missing for so much of COVID-19.
One of the best pieces of media that displays this theme very well is the book. “Bones and All,” by Camille DeAngelis. When the main character discerns her indictment with cannibalism, she says, “Obviously she loved me a little too much,” as if it was a way to justify what she had done, (DeAngelis 1). Cannibalism’s description of love portrays the idea that the closest way to connect with a person is by consuming them. You become a part of them.
“Bones and All” was adapted into a movie in 2022. It stars Timothée Chalamet, and Taylor Russell Luca Guadagnino directed it. He was interviewed with “Letterboxd” and said, “I’m not Catholic, but I come from a Catholic country. Every day, there are acts of cannibalism happening—in my country and everywhere where there is a mass communion because you are eating the flesh of Christ in the shape of the wafer. You’re consuming God within you. It’s a transcendental act.” Cannibalism is the idea of becoming one with them, like the way Catholic people take part in mass. It is a way for Catholic people to become closer to God. To become one with God.
As a society, we look for things in the media that we can use to remove ourselves from harsh realities while also wanting to see things we can relate to. These films excite us because they have healing pieces about genuinely loving one another, but we may also remove ourselves from them because they seem fantastical.
Cannibalism is a weird kind of “escapism” because a majority of people do not want to experience it in their own lives. I feel all of this depicts just how desperate people are to be close to someone else again. To be so close that it is gross and disgusting and doesn’t make any sense. Love is supposed to be gross and raw.
