Fan theories are fickle things. There are a countless number out there ranging from simple interpretations to complete re-workings of the source material. Sadly the vast majority of these theories are completely unsubstantiated and based purely on conjecture with minimal evidence. Many completely ignore facts within the material and twist things to fit their meanings. The result is an interpretation that gives an impression of obsession and trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
However, once in a blue moon you stumble upon a theory that makes you stop. ‘Well now, this actually sounds not only plausible, but in fact if it were true, would vastly improve said material’ you may even think. Deep down you know that this was likely never an intention of the creators, but if it were it makes them that much more brilliant. (Indeed whilst researching this very article I came across a theory that, if intended/true, would make Stephenie Meyer a literary genius).
Maybe the sheer abundance of crappy theories is what makes the vaguely plausible ones so much sweeter. In any case they are a rare breed, and so to save you some time and effort here is a list of some of the more plausible film fan theories out there but, as a warning, as with most theories their legitimacy can be easily brought into question.
1. Cameron Frye’s Day Off
To begin with I bring you a mainstay of fan theories. In fact this type of theory is one of the main reasons behind the many rubbish theories out there. It is a relative of the ‘X was in a coma the whole time!’ theory. I am of course talking about the ‘It was all in Ys head the whole time!’. The sheer amount of use this theory sees is baffling. One of the reasons behind its commonality is the fact that it is so easy to apply it to anything. Characters are usually made from archetypes which represent some form of heightened characterisation. This means it is easy to say that particular characters are different aspects of a person’s mind. Then again as with a lot of things sometimes a rubbish idea can seem like a good one in the right circumstances.
In this case I give you: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I know, I know. It’s a light hearted comedy. Why on earth would anyone want to read too much into a comedy? Well, because some people are just like that it seems. The theory goes that Ferris and Sloane are characters within Cameron’s head. Cameron and Ferris are complete polar opposites of each other. Where Ferris is fun and free, Cameron is a killjoy and restricted in his lifestyle. What would a troubled child with no real friends, and a possibly abusive father do? Maybe he would create an imaginary friend who could do everything he couldn’t. A friend who was the most popular guy in school. A friend who dates the hottest girl in school. A friend who inexplicably gets away with everything.
Ferris represents everything that Cameron wants to be. He ‘makes’ Cameron steal his father’s car, and call in sick. But over the course of the film, he learns to unwind almost till the point that he is having fun for himself. It is only upon the severe damage done to the car that Cameron is truly set free. He sends Ferris home and finally decides to stick up for himself. It would be a turning point in a damaged child’s youth.
Of course this whole theory can be undone just by asking; what about Ferris’ sister?
Want to write about the stuff you're passionate about and have your work read by an audience of over 10 million a month? Click here to become a contributor.
5 Comments
Even though I hate the layout and navigation of this site since it was switched over from OWF, it’s articles like this that keep me coming back. Well done, sir.
There were a definitely a few on this list I had not heard before that I agree enrich the films. I think Signs is massively improved by the demons interpretation.
However, a Stephanie Meyers theory was teased in the introduction and never spoken of again. I’m kinda dying to know what could possibly redeem that work.
If you subscribe to Oneiric theories – Inception would be very simple defined as a purely ‘dream film’ – In Inception there is no reality for the film exist only as the collective dream of it’s audience. Simply – the first ‘dream level’ is the film itself – the audience, by entering the theatre, has entered into the first ‘dream level.’ By leaving the theater we continue with reality – just try not to choke on any popcorn because your soul may get stuck in movie theatre-limbo
I just wanted to voice my opinion here on the Avengers bit. Loki’s motives are actually laid out quite clearly. Or at least I though they were. In the movie Thor (Spoilers beyond this point), Loki attempts to have Thor exiled and tries to murder Odin in order to become “king” of Asgard. In the end he gets blasted into what appears to be space. It’s then mention in the Avengers that Thanos and his army found Loki and were told of the Tesseract, which is on Earth. Hawkeye mentions in the beginning that it is a gateway through space and that a door can be opened from both sides. It is mentioned that Thanos and his army want the Tesseract and that Loki is helping them by giving them information about Earth. It is also mentioned that Loki wants dominion over Earth, presumably because he failed to become king of Asgard. His motive is simply a megalomaniacal craving for power. There is even a completely blatant comparison made between Loki and Hitler. This isn’t to say that you’re theory is incorrect, as far as Thanos and the Gauntlet goes, since if Loki had succeeded in subjugating the Earth and obtaining the Tesseract then it would have been the perfect place from which to stage an invasion of Asgard. But I just don’t think it’s fair to say that Loki’s motivation is left vague in any way and that it is a plot hole. All the basis for his motives are laid out quite plainly in the film.
RE: the Tarantino-verse……
In Django Unchained, Kerry Washington’s character is named Broomhilda Von Shaft. Quentin has indicated that, yes, she is the ancestor of “black private d–k who’s a sex machine to all the chicks” John Shaft.
Can you dig it?