Its especially effective in thriller and horror content where fear and paranoia are paramount.
She sets off to hopefully resolve how and why this has happened to him.
Lena feels disconnected from reality both physically and mentally.
Image via A24
Isolation is not just physical, it can also be social.
Her isolation is constructed by her husband who made her feel trapped and alone in her marriage.
When she asked for a separation he refused and when she persisted he hit her.
Image via A24
Harper is surrounded by people but she is alone.
Nature itself, in all these films, has not itself an enemy.
Instead, the threat is manmade.
Image via Paramount Pictures
The location is the kindling, but the spark is the psyche.
For that isolation to be overcome physically it must first be overcome emotionally.
Isolation comes in many forms, but Garland uses all of them to force characters to harden themselves.
Image via A24
To become self-actualized or perish, these are your choices.
In isolation one must either accept their true self or let the doubt and fear consume them.
This doesnt necessarily mean becoming a better person, simply a more self-actualized one.
Image via A24
