The Frailty of the Human Mind (and the Power of Parental Influence)
By Marcos Codas
I’ve been living with anxiety, depression, and PTSD since at least 2004. My relationship with my mind is not black or white but rather many shades of gray. As I’ve gone to therapy more and more, I’ve been able to experience art that explores the fragility of the human mind with a bit more ease. Frailty (2001) is a hidden gem with a star-studded cast (Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe) directed by Paxton himself. It touches on themes of religion, delusion, parental influence, and insanity. As such, it hits very close to home. But I’ve learned to make the hit softer over time. Walk with me, would you?
Parents
Parental figures are a central theme to the plot of Frailty. Both for Adam and Fenton Meiks, as well as for FBI Agent Wesley Doyle, their parents loomed large over their lives. In a film where there are murders seemingly motivated by visions of God himself, we might as well throw him in, too. After all, what bigger parental figure is there than God?
But for the Meiks and Doyle, their terrestrial, biological parents had an even bigger influence on them than even God could have. And that was the same for me. As I saw the young Meiks boys being devoted Christians due to the influence of their dad, I saw myself as a child being a devoted Catholic because of my mother.
However, just like Paxton’s Dad Meiks, my mother wasn’t a clear-cut figure. Still isn’t. She’s a deeply flawed, highly abusive individual who weaponized religion, which is something that will resonate with people who’ve watched this film. I remember a time when I would pray so hard as a child in her “sessions,” that she and her friends would cry. Never had they seen such devotion from a child. In reality, what they were seeing was their own projection of belief, the pressure I felt to perform, and my fear of eternal damnation.
It was a heavy burden to bear. And it continues to be difficult to watch, as Frailty is full of moments like this. “God wants you to do it.” This phrase controlled my life for years.
The Mind
Growing up under the influence of a highly abusive religious fanatic isn’t conducive to becoming a “normal” adult. As I went through life trying to figure out who I was, my mental health deteriorated more and more. So, when I see a suicide on screen, I don’t take it lightly. It doesn’t just make me sad; it brings back memories. I was close. Too close.
To this day, the fear of losing my mind is very real. In 2020, I had a mental breakdown. I was experiencing such anxiety and depression that I disassociated very heavily. That means that I felt like I was a spectator in my own mind and had no control over the thought processes that went on within.
For me, re-watching this film and writing about Frailty counts as part of my therapy. I am using art to expose myself to some of my biggest fears in a controlled environment, so that I may relinquish their power over my mind. Slow and steady wins the race, they say. I’ll tell you if they were right at the finish line. In the meantime, I gotta walk the walk.
God
I would be remiss if I didn’t touch upon God, and my own understanding and perception of divinity, considering the whole movie revolves around the God’s Hand killer and his murders motivated by visions of God.
As I mentioned before, God was weaponized during my childhood. As I saw the damage that organized religion had inflicted on my mind, I was an angry teenager, despising God and everything divinity stood for.
Now that I’m nearly 40 years old, my relationship with the divine, if it exists, has changed. I’m no longer bitter. I’m no longer certain, one way or the other. But I am open to seeing divinity in the world around me. And that was a big step.
Healing
I won’t spoil the film for you. I’m not that kind of guy. But I will say that there’s a sort of resolution, a kind of healing at the end, despite the madness, despite the killings. And so, it is in my life.
I have found healing. Therapy, family, and friends have brought me closer to understanding my mind and its intricacies better than ever before. It’s not a done deal. Mental health probably never is. But I’m now at a point where I’m able to sit down and enjoy a film like Frailty. I can see my triggers on screen and reflect on them rather than be scared. And I’ll take that.
Slow and steady wins the race. 🩸
About
Marcos is a Paraguayan-Canadian multimedia producer, writer, filmmaker, and game developer. He is the former assistant editor at Dread Central and has been an entertainment journalist for over 15 years. He is an unashamed fan of found footage films, handheld gaming, and restoring old vehicles, which he does in his spare time.
Follow MANOR on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and other sites via Linktree.
© 2023 Manor Entertainment LLC
