Jack Stauber’s OPAL | adult swim smalls

[@Nothxxxxxxx]

It's so depressing that she doesn't come up with a good line in her imagination, instead of "we love you opal!" It's just "we see you opal" she wants the bare minimum

[@Charginasaur]

This. I felt this hard.

[@phae_c]

i think it might also be linked to, just how she sees the house outside the window in the beginning, she wishes opal's/"her" family would see her from inside the billboard across the street. like she wants to believe that they Do look back at her, when she looks at them from the window.

[@slushiegoreluna]

The line could also relate to how her real family doesn’t really properly see her. Grandpa is blind, Dad is too busy focusing on himself, and mom is too drunk. So that’s why her imaginary family says they see her. Because she knows the opposite is the case for her real family.

[@t-dot1564]

Sometimes I find people saying:"I see you" is another way of saying, "I see you. I understand you and your struggles."

[@renetrograde]

i feel like opal is told that she's loved by her mother. her mom seems like the type to use 'loving' her daughter as part of how she manipulates her. like the whole 'i forgive you' line. she wants to be loved, really loved, but doesn't know how to ask for it. being 'loved' is such an abstract concept compared to being 'seen,' especially for a child who hasn't been loved. her motivations behind being wanting to be 'seen,' related to how her family doesn't acknowledge her aside from being a tool they can use, are probably synonymous with being loved, but she doesn't have the emotional understanding to articulate it.

[@noonedream9333]

"My child is fine" Your child found a better family in a fast food advertisement.

[@elizabethmartin3831]

Holy shit

[@peanutdrip1107]

ROASTED

[@Offdopp]

@@peanutdrip1107 over an open flame

[@Clarkamadorian]

This is gonna be next big comment

[@lazyspacepirate]

OH SHIT I JUST NOTICED THAT 😭

[@bigchad9255]

Tbh when I heard the mother say “I forgive every one of you, every night. It’s a virtuous cycle.” It hit too close to home because lots of mothers think of themselves as saviors just because they brought a child into this world, even if they verbally and physically abuse that child. They think they are entitled to love and respect just because they think of themselves as a savior. My mom acts like that all the time so that scene really resonated with me.

[@jeniferjoseph9200]

It’s also a really smart play on what is actually happening- a viscous cycle of abuse

[@bigchad9255]

@lila mansilla I’m living with my mom rn and it hurts

[@cursedbeans5560]

Remember, don’t lose hope you’ll find help, remember it’s always good to be able to talk to people, no one should be abused

[@tessarae9127]

SAME omg

[@janerayment3750]

SAY IT AGAIN FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK

[@x0TurtleGirl0x]

The father is probably the most interesting character for me as he could be interpreted as someone who became narcissistic as a coping mechanism for the mother’s abuse. During the mother’s song there is a brief sequence of her hitting a person with a bottle - heavily implied to be the father, to the point where 911 was called. We also see a split second image of the father’s true face at the end which shows his face is caved in which is probably also a result of the abuse. He sings “They turned me down now I live my nightmare” - perhaps referring to authorities not believing him and ignoring the abuse because he is male and the perpetrator is his wife. He also mentions that “Everybody’s so mad at me” probably talking about the mother’s anger issues, so now he hides in the bathroom from her, fixing himself to either affirm his self-worth, cover up the abuse, or to please his wife. Because he’s the only character to not physically threaten Claire people assume that he is the “least abusive” person in the house, but notice he is the only one who never calls Claire by her name and is probably the most neglectful adult, at least the mom and the grandpa see a use for her, even if it’s selfish. And by the way he insults her ankles he probably makes her self esteem worse while the mom and grandpa maybe make her feel useful sometimes in a messed up way.

[@connormcclure8017]

banger

[@coreyroberts47]

He’s got that brace on the back of his head too

[@memes4life-uy9ot]

I think that's just his mirror on his head​@@coreyroberts47

[@sheniko-3760]

We can also see that in the fake family when Opal saw the haunted house. The father was sweating from nervousness.

[@Leafeh]

I thought it was "now I rizz my nightmare"..

[@saltyhasnochill5249]

“There she is” “That’s my girl” “𝚑𝚒 𝚘𝚙𝚊𝚕“

[@Max-gg5nz]

THE FUCKING GRANDPA CRACKS ME UP EVERY TIME

[@fda1523]

I love the fake grandpa "Hi Opal!"

[@rolfyasa1736]

Woohoo At a girl H I O P A L

[@candycoated_rage6591]

h i o p a l

[@shellycourtney9164]

H I O P A L XD

[@caninecuspids]

her caretakers set an example for her. they indulge in their own forms of escapism so much that all she knows how to do to cope is indulge in her own escapism. a viscious cycle.

[@franknfurter5336]

damn

[@lostkey7301]

ooao nice catch

[@hannahbg1852]

Whoa, you're right.

[@perrilewis180]

Well it's all she has. She's a child while the rest can something as an adult. The grandfather could stop smoking, the father could stop looking into mirrors and the mother could try to end her addiction. Hopefully claire can escape the cycle because she knows what she is doing. She understand what she is doing and seems to understand it's not good to do it but there's nothing else in reality yet that sees her.

[@underoverachiever7093]

But, the positive thing about it, is that while her family doesn’t realize their form of escapism, Claire/Opal does. She knows it’s not real, but her family doesn’t

[@sodapop4949]

I love how, when they're all banging on the door, they're all pleading for help. Pleading for an escape. They're all reliant on her, which is why its hard for her to leave

[@acidicali7776]

Nah, it’s hard for her to leave because she’s in the middle of nowhere and doesn’t know how to leave. Not cuz she has a responsibility to her family.

[@comradeq2493]

@@acidicali7776 It's deeper than that yo

[@acidicali7776]

@@comradeq2493 my comment doesn’t make it any less deep. It’s just my interpretation vs their interpretation

[@elevatormusic4000]

That, and the little scene that immediately follows shows her as things they're all dependant on. She's her grandfather's eyes, her father's mirror, and her mother's pills.

[@JamietheEmperor]

huh

[@Luna23479]

I never noticed that Claire’s fake dad sweats when Clair looks at the house, and I realized that she’s in her subconscious, which means that it wasn’t her fake dad that was getting scared or stressed that was her, getting stressed even just thinking about her house. That’s actually so sad

[@Jesusaross]

I don't believe that's a sign of the imaginary dad sweating. It's a sign that rain is falling, falling upon the billboard, which means that Claire will have to go back inside soon. It seems that she goes outside and stares at the billboard at times, imagining a better life, but when rain starts to fall, she'll have to go back inside. Both due to not wanting to get a cold or get wet, as well as symbolically as a sort of "sweat out of fear or anxiety on her imaginary father's head", due to her having to face reality once again.

[@vincentrusso4097]

The father uses childish dialogue to describe himself. Growing small etc. he says I’m still growing why is everyone hard on me. He doesn’t talk about himself as an adult so he can avoid responsibility or accountability.

[@enterprisingbiosphere3933]

also shows that he projects himself and his personality onto his child.

[@charjack4449]

narcissism❤

[@Kai-gj3ji]

He’s immature and must be in a regressive state of mind

[@TheUltravault]

Hes childish because that's her brother and a teenager/young adult not the father

[@Kai-gj3ji]

@@TheUltravault i doubt that would be the brother... Claire's dream family is a direct parallel to that of her real one.

[@a.y.320]

i can't believe that jack voiced every single character in this short. it's kind of obvious, but it's weird to think about.

[@JaySteiny]

Yeah its crazy how talented of a voice actor he is, like everyones always talking about the art music or the story but jacks voice acting is honestly top notch stuff.

[@denisowiczak3499]

I'm wondering how he did real grandpas voice

[@dixonartaxes8544]

@@denisowiczak3499 he changed it a bit

[@enterprisingbiosphere3933]

@@denisowiczak3499 computer editing.

[@patrickwallace4251]

wait even the lip people

[@laura-ni8ym]

the most disturbing part is that so many kids grow up like this. escaping into a fantasy world where everything is normal, scared of their reality at home and scared of being like the rest of their family

[@Toddy_0]

@SnapBack That's sad I hope your ok though!

[@Doggieguts]

This do be my life rn

[@laura-ni8ym]

you guys are more than your blood 💕

[@Tsumera2038]

That's how I was. The internet, mainly KZbin, art, and video games were my escape. Sometimes I would even dread coming home from school. My family has gotten better though, I'm doing fine.

[@Doggieguts]

@@Tsumera2038 oof same

[@survival9206]

I just now noticed how mirror man adjusts the mirror so that the reflection of his face aligns with Opal's body, hence "I actually look good in that" and the ankle dig. And when he says things like "I'm still growing you know? why be so negative?" he is trying to one up Opal's struggles, the way narcissists do.

[@username229]

Tell more of it please. It's well articulated

[@cuami]

This hits home. My father usually says "there's no manual for being a father..." when he messes up and I point it out.

[@gradeahonky]

That delivery was so dead on about being distant, I didn't even realize he knew Opal was there on my first viewing. I thought he was having, like, some fantasy conversation with an agent or something.

[@renegadetherapper]

I also feel the ankle dig is significant because 1. It proves he never sees her face, only his and 2. He knows his faced is messed up so the only thing he can grill her on that he has “better” than hers is her ankles. If he said he’s glad he didn’t have her face he’d have to FACE that HIS face is messed up.

[@sirsteam6455]

@@renegadetherapper Its an assumption if his face is actually messed up or not, and thus dependant on interpretation.

[@Merchantic]

When you realize she never even takes a bite of the burger because she can't imagine what it tastes like. She has no clue, just what it represents.

[@myspareaccount8113]

Well she can only go off of what the billboard displays. This is her interpretation of what Opal and the others are doing with the burgers.

[@thiccnicc7530]

Idk it's more likely she's dancing with excitement and joy not that she doesn't know what to do with a burger.

[@eatplastic9133]

I think she doesn't eat it and dances instead, because the real parents don't feed her properly.

[@MoonDazeArts]

Yea from the breakdowns i've seen of this she danced cuz she didn't know what to do with it, so she just dances

[@JuddiGT]

I think she didn't eat it because her real parents (next door) didn't feed her so she danced because she got food also her parents telling her don't mind the house across the street is her saying to herself don't go through the abuse

[@havesomecarrots]

her escapist fantasy is living in a fast food advert because that's the closest she's seen to a happy and healthy life... bruh

[@cuppacofi1129]

she doesn't even know what to do with a hamburger, but seeing as the people in the ad are happy she correlates it with happiness

[@WeirdlookinAlien]

Mhh thanks for the explanation

[@CapemanProducti0ns]

Holy shit... I feel dumb thinking she somehow came out of the billboard. Now I understand her real name is Claire.

[@ceresco_]

If she were real id adopt her So I can give her a happy and healthy life

[@bonedaddy3650]

@@CapemanProducti0ns just imagine if that's how it went

[@bleachednoodle4130]

None of them can see her. The grandpa is blind, the mirror man is too obsessed with himself, and the mother's vision is too poor to see her. When she is in her fantasy dreamland, they say "We see you, Opal". She just wants to be seen.

[@milorca4412]

i think they can’t see claire in a literal and metaphorical way. Literally because the grandpa is blind, the dad’s vision is blocked by mirrors and the mom’s too drunk to properly see her. But metaphorical because they’re all too busy blaming the world for their problems and engaging in their bad habits to care for claire

[@babyjesus921]

If the grandpa is blind...then why is he watching TV

[@milorca4412]

@@babyjesus921 i think he’s listening to the sound of the tv

[@limerence41]

@@babyjesus921 he’s listening to the sound, that why he says the girls are singing to him. he thinks he’s famous.

[@scurvypancakes6027]

@@babyjesus921 the TV was just static I think

[@bunnywolf7750]

I love the contradiction between Claire wanting to be seen, but also trying to avoid interaction with all of them. For example when she flinches from stepping on the bag on the floor. If she tried to be seen by them, all that will result to is them using her. Leading to such a hopeless feeling, that her only escape is her own mind.

[@cuami]

This is so real. That's why this is a masterpiece, it's so realistic.

[@indiacampbell7512]

She wants to be seen, just not by THEM😞

[@pastaroni8683]

Jack Stauber fans: Ah, the usual Adult Swim fans: Ah, the usual

[@bluberducky9117]

That one guy who came across this: wtf did I just watch

[@DamienTheCat]

@@bluberducky9117 everyone you ever show Jack Stauber to who didn't discover it on their own already

[@lucifer82666]

@@DamienTheCat everyone who listens to Jack Stauber's songs from tik tok and aesthetic edits but doesn't fully know his artworks and whole content

[@bluberducky9117]

@@DamienTheCat pretty much lol I love his shop vids

[@rzta8209]

Adult Swim fans/Jack Stauber fans on weird disturbing shit: 🤝

[@seancondon5870]

I like how a running theme is, she can’t be seen, not by the grandpa, nor the dad, or the mother in her drunken state, it’s a horrifying metaphor about her being used

[@coledavidson5630]

Some people have already mentioned this but all of the adults just want to be seen too. They were probably raised in similar households, and there's a chance that their treatment of Claire will cause her to end up the same way

[@ivoryXmorales]

Right? And the song in the beginning is all "we see you, opal",, but in reality- they don't at all

[@lunastone8330]

that is why "we see you, opal"

[@shimmer7152]

the fact that the only song the imaginary/fake family sings is “we see you, Opal” really shows how all she really wants is to be seen

[@blakechildress944]

I still can't believe Jack Stauber is only 24 and making these incredible shorts.

[@Xtoxicgoddesx]

The fact claire's hair is an attempt at pigtails but her hair is really just knotted that way is sad af

[@JoeMama-1diot]

oh my god

[@Kingvr07]

Fr😔

[@Yumyumtaisty]

Ya

[@PedroPedro-sm9oy]

same with the mother, it's quite clever, the mother says they are the same and then tries to make both have the same hair style

[@esprero]

@@PedroPedro-sm9oy nah

[@anidamien]

"you and i dont live, claire, we survive" hits way too close to home, having gotten that talk throughout my entire childhood. i remember asking why i was always the exception in every aspect of life, why everyone else can live and why i have to survive in stasis, and getting something adjacent to "we're always the exception, we're not thriving we're surviving" as a response and wondering why living has never been for me.

[@anidamien]

im not usually the "thanks for the gold kind stranger" kind of person but genuinely thanks for the likes on this comment, it's an incredibly isolating issue and ive never seen anyone else acknowledge it:) thank you

[@Daelyah]

I'm hoping you're doing at least a little better, nowadays. It's tricky to find a proper way to thrive after we go through so much.

[@anidamien]

@@Daelyah i am, thank you! i'd just recently turned 18 at the time of commenting so now i'm finally able to take the necessary steps to start breaking the cycle. it's tricky but it, at the very least, makes the light at the end of the tunnel that much brighter, getting to experience personhood for the first time is genuinely an experience unlike anything else. it's definitely one of the hardest things I've done though and i hope you've been able to find the space to heal and thrive, it's definitely not easy

[@demonicfroggie]

The fact that Claire has never had a burger before and ends up dancing around it because she doesnt understand what you're supposed to do with it is heartbreaking

[@its_jamason8702]

thanks im boutta cry ;-;

[@ria8977]

true

[@yourguykio]

The fact that Opal's mom (Claire's imaginary mom) even says, "You can do it!" not "You can eat it!" even implies this more :(

[@killme7931]

@@yourguykio that's sad :[

[@yourguykio]

@@killme7931 Very sad.

[@fatdog4774]

"You and I don't live, Claire; we survive." CHILLS

[@etps4444]

For real, though. It's much too relatable.

[@Medineer_Gaming]

Reminds me of wall-e

[@Mushroombea]

How can a video who talks about abuse can make you think of wall-E a childrenmovie

[@americanodude]

Everything the mother says is bone chilling. I can't really attest to have grown up in an environment like the one Jack portrayed, but I know people who did and know specific people who act like the mother. All three of her authority figures are awful, but the mother takes the cake for me. Endless manipulation and a willingness to gaslight herself and her daughter to skew her worldview in her favor. It's, honestly, so gross that it hurts. Her song also shows how detestable she is. Using the one person that she is supposed to support as her own personal rock and punishing her when she doesn't.

[@Medineer_Gaming]

@@Mushroombea I meant the quote.

[@sagez9422]

I like how the grandpa and mother songs both seem to be spur-of-the-moment but the father's song is clearly prepared and recorded. It's a nice detail about what a narcissist he is.

[@sagemybrain6740]

I agree me

[@cut3girlxx496]

i never noticed that!

[@brad6220]

At what part?

[@sagez9422]

@@brad6220 right before his song starts he goes 'why don't I just show you' and presses play on a recording device.

[@brad6220]

@@sagez9422 ah thx

[@chloeblack2615]

I grew up in a household like Clair’s. I hated Harry Potter, still can’t stand it. Only because I grew up raised in a closet, I grew up despised by family, beaten and starved. I watched the first movie as a kid when it finally came on TV, and I felt mocked. I’m 30 now, and I suffer permanent brain damage from my youth, life long health conditions from malnutrition as a child, list goes on. It took me years of therapy to learn how to be happy. This film is so accurate it hurts. My father was a narcissist, self obsessed with himself and what he deserved, my mother was a drunkard and a drug addict, my grandfather died of COPD. You learn to see the little space you have like a bomb shelter. It’s not peaceful or safe, but it’s safer. It’s nice to see this film though. It feels like child abuse is a tabu subject not to be brought up. Because parenting is “hard”. My parents never faced consequences for their actions. My mother is a wealthy attorney, my father lost in his own woes. Claire story represents so many quiet voices out there.

[@YourlocalSr1]

Are you okay

[@Usualrocketjumpingmaniac]

Child abuse is becoming normal nowadays, where is good now? This so called "Family" of yours is not a family.

[@Lunarlime]

Wow…your so strong 💕 I hope your family got help are changed their ways..❤

[@thehummingbirdbandit9542]

I was never beaten, but I was starved and I also suffer long-term health consequences from the abuse I faced. Mother was a narcissist and an alcoholic, stepfather was secretly a predator, grandfather died of lung cancer. I'm just grateful my sister and I had each other. I hope you're doing better now that you're away.

[@Zachwagner-y8m]

We see u opal in our eyes u will stay

[@Icycrits]

The first time you watch this, the horror comes from the fact that you have no idea what could be in "that house across the street." The second time you watch it, the true horror sets in from knowing exactly what's in the house. The horror of a hopeless, inescapable reality.

[@peeko_luxx2873]

I’m not sure how I never heard of this video or this artist.. I live under a rock. Anyways, this video just speaks such volumes. Cheers

[@tiana2325]

So true

[@Cunkulus]

God you wrote that beautifully, and somehow also avoided spoilers! You’re very talented

[@Icycrits]

@@Cunkulus Made my day, thank you!

[@THEREALbobanderson]

I hate the song mama needs a little girl because my mother use to be a alcoholic so it just brings back bad memories

[@HarperNell]

Something I haven't seen anyone point out yet is how in Claire's fantasy, Opal's house is one level. In reality, each party lives on their own floor and don't interact out of their narcissism; Claire wants her family to stop separating themselves.

[@tur1n_lad1n20]

Oml you're right-

[@at1laztheaveragefurry]

Dear God...

[@korokahu8159]

I tough this wouldn't be more sad.... but it seems that everytime rewatching it there is more details

[@klivickis]

@@korokahu8159 tough or toe also everytime i rewatch it,there is more details

[@americanodude]

I don't think they are all on their own floor. The grandfather is on the bottom floor, the mother and father on the second floor, and Opal is in the attic. They are all segmented into their own rooms/realities though

[@raaychiel_2222]

The way her eyes were closed in the very beginning and she looked like she was concentrating really hard but also in pain until she opens her eyes to see the fake family and her face relaxes…wow Jack

[@raaychiel_2222]

and how u can see the reflection of the billboard lights in her eyes the entire time shes at the other house, but when the camera pans we see no lights and it just looks like the happy family is in a regular house(but rlly she’s just staring at a billboard the whole time). The beginning makes so much since after you watch the ending.

[@sdr7_]

@@raaychiel_2222omg I did not even notice that…the foreshadowing done here is so good

[@catyoon6014]

And the whole movie starts with the fantasy dad's face frozen in that smile from the billboard until it comes to life and looks at Claire

[@thedoggowisdom]

Another thing is this: focus on the beginning, the dad’s eyes are as the same as the one in the advertisement, so yeah, it might be her imagining things to relax during that situation. *edit: nvm, last comment pointed it out

[@moonhalo4000]

Exactly, it’s a loop

[@ShrekDonkey-l9v]

So I love everyone picking this apart and pointing out all of the nuances to make the picture bigger. I noticed several things nobody has pointed out yet. She doesnt eat the burger, not because she doesnt know how to, but likely because eating it would snap her out of the fantasy, shes likely very hungry from being outside all day (assuming) and pretending to eat would worsen the hunger. On the way into the house an outside light comes on, scaring her. This leads me to believe that it was the streetlight coming on, and she needed to get inside for curfew. In the 80s and 90s, the streetlight coming on meant 'go home' for the kids who were locked out of the house during the day. Knowing the streetlights on are on, she knows that the people inside are more alert and waiting for her to show up at this time. She can read the sign that says 'opals burgers', so she is school age. So she likely was outside after school, where she probably eats the only meal shes given on a daily basis. All three adults in the house are narcissistic, not just the father. They all sing about themselves and what they want/need and they all need something from the child. The grandfather thinks the people on tv are talking to him and even tells her "they fight over me like dogs". He needs her to bring his cigarettes. The father sings about the events that led to his internal vanity complex and how he now feels the need to constantly fix and alter his appearance and how he represents himself "Sorry, my brain" he says after insulting her ankles. His severe god complex muddles the trauma from his abusive wife, he thinks he needs to make himself into a god. "Creating the wold its next new Savior" is one of his last lines. He wants the child to stay and listen to his monologue and show him sympathy and pity. The mothers song is self-explaining, she had the child for emotional support and to give her (the mother) unconditional love (from the child). Sadly this is the case for many children, people have babies for very selfish reasons. The mother wants the child to stay and take the physical abuse that comes from her anger.The music coming from her room is both beautiful and horrifying at the same time, it represents her sanctuary in a hellish place. The father continues to fix the mirror back to his face, and his voice goes distorted when the mirror reflects his forehead mouth, representing the chaos in his head. The light from the window reflects in her eyes as she makes her way through the house, representing her desire to get upstairs to safety. The mother is physically abusive to both the child and the father, at the end before Claire runs upstairs the mother lunges at her. "You're just as powerless as I am Claire, see?" She doesn't imagine them saying "we love you" likely because the word hasnt been used in the proper way towards her. Maybe the word has been said in in passing, but she's never been told "I love you". So she cannot imagine them saying it to her. As someone who lived a similar life as a child, I agree with the statement that art like this is meant to comfort the disturbed. I enjoy videos and art that represent the horrors i experienced, it gives me a sense of peace to know that my suffering was not a singular experience, and to see other people be brave and confident enough to come forward and say "this is what happened to me" and to stand up for the children today who need protection. The horror-esque type of art is meant to freak you out, because our childhoods felt just like that. A nightmare that we couldnt click away from or wake up from. The escapism into fantasy worlds was our only survival tool, and many of us are still holding onto it, long into adulthood.

[@depressedcakke3877]

Love all of these details omg Also the “she didn’t know what to do with the burger” argument never really sat right with me. The “snapping her out of reality” makes a lot more sense to me

[@anne-mariekkkkkk]

this is such a beautiful comment 🩷🙏

[@bernarda1247]

I’m sorry your childhood was like this, I hope that you found someone who loves you 🙏

[@Zachwagner-y8m]

The imaginary mom encouraging her to eat the burger “go on u can do it”

[@yianna147]

as someone who maladaptive daydreams, I never eat in them. it's such a mundane task and there is no benefit to it. all the focus is on dialog because you are basically improvising a movie in your head.

[@davidkonevky7372]

The reason her family says "we see you, opal" instead of something like "we love you, opal" is because she don't wants to be loved, at least the way her family does it. Her grandfather loves her, but only because she gives him his cigarretes. Her dad loves her, but only because she gives attention to him. And her mother loves her, because she uses her daughter as an escape of her horrible self. Opal has never seen true love, the only love she's ever experienced is toxic, crooked. She doesn't want to be loved, she wants to be seen as something else, not something that's just there to satisfy their awful addictions.

[@millburry1828]

Truly sad

[@IcyBune]

Yes

[@lelamahmud2950]

Awh :(

[@happyduck2461]

It's more than that too, being seen is the one thing she's not, no one sees her clearly, her grandpa is nearly blind to such an extent he can't even recognize her, her dad is constantly looking in a mirror and not at her, and her mom is so drunk and high she can't see straight

[@brandont5264]

Now I understand everything. Thx

[@hieronymus1432]

The mother manages to make everything about her. "you should be more considerate, but I forgive you" "I feel terrible" and "they never repent how I want them to." This is AMAZING writing of a manipulative character. She's saying these objectively cruel things in a way that positions herself as a victim and a martyr who is so incredibly kind, but helpless to change. The forgiveness line especially is a textbook tactic that manipulators use: she gets to present herself as the good guy while doing no emotional labour AND inflicting guilt and expressing that the person she's talking to is lesser. Amazing work as always from Jack. I'm really tempted to write a damn essay on this rather than just my little kneejerk response to the mother...

[@digitab4446]

It also seems that she can't admit to her own wrong-doings, she quickly turns a bout of remorse into a chance to victimise herself when she says: "I feel terrible for all the things that I've- I feel terrible" And until she can take accountability for all she's done and learns some self-awareness, she truly is as powerless as she says she is.

[@kaylaisnothere4397]

She's exactly like my mom, but instead of the substance abuse issues it's emotional/past trauma problems instead.

[@digitab4446]

@@kaylaisnothere4397 damn, are you okay? Jeez dude, that's tough, I Hope you're doing alright.

[@kaylaisnothere4397]

@@digitab4446 I'm doing alright thank you. Just trying to work through the years of gaslighting she's put me through and learning to trust myself.

[@digitab4446]

@@kaylaisnothere4397 yo man, I really hope it goes well and that you have people to help

[@sukithebean7920]

I JUST REALIZED: Claire's imaginary family members have rather creepy open eyes because they are giving their full attention, 110% of it, all to her. They have the same eyes as her as well: open, attentive, wanting to communicate and understand. Her imaginary family is one that *sees* her, which is emphasized by the character design. Jack is such a genius.

[@thomasmendez1843]

Thanks for pointing that out

[@StopTheSequel]

Another thing, whenever she looks at her imaginary house and family, you see the 4 lights from the billboard. And when she leaves her fake house, you see the 4 lights, which then come on and startle her and make her go inside.

[@Walcottgirls]

They also have little to no expression bc they're pictures

[@Straw_berri3]

Another note: the family doesn’t even blink as well, “Opal” wants her dream family to give her the full attention

[@laurajr7123]

I still don’t get it but all my friends do. My head hurts 🤔

[@RianneFlores]

If you see in the beginning, the Father’s expression is the exact same as on the billboard, and when Claire is closing her eyes, she’s trying so hard to make her escapism fantasies start, when in reality, she’s just looking at the billboard.

[@WulfieZi]

Interesting bit of symbolism here, maybe I'm reaching too far but: In her real house, she's only ever going up the stairs while she's running away from something. My guess that she associates running up the stairs with fleeing her family members to get to her "safe" place in the attic. In her dream house, it's a single story building, and her room is on the ground floor. She doesn't need to run from anyone, the entire house is her safe space.

[@Tyroneeeeeeeee]

idk if this is reaching at all, it makes sense

[@alannacussons9680]

wow, every time i come back to watch this I check the comment section for new takes and theories, and this is the first new one I've seen in a while and is absolutely fantastic

[@LemonDrip]

i dont wanna ruin the 69 likes someone tell me when i can like

[@mvo9856]

This doesn't necessarily contradict your theory, but I heard that Jack Stauber at one point clarified that the eery/heavenly music coming from the attic is the sound of Claire's crying and the reason Opal is running towards the sound is because she is worried that someone is in distress and she wants to help them. The fact that it turns out that it is her in distress, and that the only person there who cares enough to try to help is herself is just... heartbreaking.

[@hankhill2889]

My theory is that there’s only one floor because the family is so close, there’s no need for there to be another

[@minetruly]

The really sad part is that when she imagines her perfect family singing to her, they don't even say "I love you." All they say is "I see you" and "hi, Opal." She can't even think about actually being loved. Her highest dream is just to be acknowledged.

[@txtmn6236]

This makes it 10x times sadder for me.

[@aeromotex]

the top of the triangle of the hierarchy of needs is self-actualization

[@notto5937]

Don't forget about how her pretend family praises and encourages her, while protecting her from the truth she fears.

[@ella247]

im crying

[@daystars6479]

BEEN THERE

[@zouperbob]

The mom really hits hard for me. The way she talks about wanting to take care of a child really to only make herself feel better and how she objectifies the child is probably the most horrifying part for me

[@justintime220]

I had an ex who’s mom did this with them it really messed them up and there family life was awful which is weird because the mon was a social worker

[@charliebear2048]

I honestly want to think that the mom still genuinely loves Claire, but she's so fucked up and devastated that she can't show it.

[@SuperSillystar1256]

Finally I don't feel alone

[@randomrandle9141]

No the mom wants to be taken care of by her daughter

[@deckmanbestie9772]

@@randomrandle9141 No shes guilttripping and gaslighting her daughter

[@jm17368]

Each member of her family acts the exact opposite as their counterparts. The grandpa is excited to see Opal, but in the house he chases her off. The dad gives her the most attention out of all of them, but in reality barely acknowledges her as a person. And the mom is supportive, "You can do it!", but in her scene she says *"You're just as powerless as I am, Claire."*

[@anyasea10739]

I also wanna point out the size of each character’s eyes. The imaginary family has big eyes making it easier to ‘see’ Claire, whereas her real family has small eyes in relation to Claire, not only meaning they don’t ‘see’ her as much but also creating a less innocent look for them. Perhaps Claire has big eyes because she wants to ‘see’ her family and to connect with them. Honestly this is one of the saddest yet best things Jack Stauber has created imo because there’s so much detail to pick apart

[@CrazyAceking]

They all literally can't see her, as well. The grandpa is blind, and treats her more as someone who brings him his smokes. The father stares eternally into his mirrors, avoiding eye contact with everyone, only ever being able to see that their ankles are passing by. The mother is so hopped up on booze and what I assume to be painkillers, she can't see straight, though she does at least look at Claire's general direction, I suppose.

[@Smile-cg8st]

The family likely has smaller eyes to represent how they see nothing of Clair, and more importantly their actions to Clair. Whilst in contrast Clair is obviously effected more by their actions so she has bigger eyes. Honestly it could mean anything, smaller eyes are more realistic whilst bigger eyes look fake and cartoony, big eyes can represent innocence, or Clair is unblinded by the various things that have blinded the others from realising their actions (apart from actually being blind of course)

[@ladyhammer]

Nah, children just have bigger eyes in animation. Or innocent/good characters.

[@foxygrin]

You don't think that maybe in an animation like THIS it's not just standard character design? I take it to mean that Claire is forced to see all the horrible things happening around/to her. She literally has to scrunch up her entire face to get away from what she's witness to, symbolizing how much effort it takes for her to shut out the world and escape to her own.

[@HalfFlat832]

There’s every chance that Claire is just emaciated through her family’s ignorance of her and their own selfish desires . Not knowing how a hamburger works is a pretty big sign … again tho it may just be contrast as Claire may be the only person in the “home” with ability to see past themselves , sad that it only propels the cycle of delusion that seems to prevail there and retreat to a world where she’s noticed .

[@humanisme6746]

When I first watched this, I thought the family pulling the curtains on Opal/Claire’s real house was really creepy, like the family was trapping her there, or there was a dark secret they were hiding from her. But the second watch... it’s just sad. It’s like Opal/Claire’s subconscious mind is trying to protect her from her life, trying to keep her happy for even a little while longer. This short is truly a masterpiece.

[@codename7757]

Same

[@masonl.4275]

The worst part is when she's about to eat the burger she gets on the plate as if she's never even had one before and can't imagine the taste it has

[@dixonartaxes8544]

@@masonl.4275 or doesn't know she's supposed to eat it

[@MagikoopaGames]

this is lowkey similar to the plot of the binding of isaac lmaoo

[@rayswoop4947]

It really is

[@Laxhoop]

The idea that Claire is so malnourished that she doesn’t even understand what you’re meant to do with a hamburger, so she just starts dancing with it, is just really sad, yet also comedic at the same time.

[@elenaxthatxbitch]

laughing crying screaming

[@agente138]

Ooh, it makes sense, since the only time she saw a hamburger in her life was on the billboard, and in it Opal just holds the hamburger without eating it

[@walkermcmullin8665]

I think it's more that she can't eat the burger without breaking the illusion, so she did the only thing she COULD do with it, treat it as a prop.

[@ExposedCable]

She isn’t called Claire, her name is opal

[@walkermcmullin8665]

@@ExposedCable …Who wants to tell him?

[@BunifyAnimations]

Growing up when i got home from school i used to sit in my backyard hiding from ny parents. My dad was always sitting in the recliner, drinking whiskey. I always had to quietly walk past him. I had to quietly walk up the stairs, my mon was always in the room, drunk. I had to rush to my room and quickly lock the door if she heard me, she would get mad at me for being home so late, talking about all the stuff that she did for me. She always used me as some type of therapist, using me to solve all of her problems.

[@samofsparta5056]

I’m so sorry

[@BunifyAnimations]

@@samofsparta5056 its okay. It's just that I wanted to share my personal experience since I experienced something close to Opal. I'm glad things like this are getting more attention.

[@Tiatheunicorntwin]

I am genrally so sorry i hope ur better now and away from those nasty people that call themselves parents

[@nikanika439]

Claire = Clear, it's reality. Opal = opaque, it's her dream

[@ostrichfam9273]

That one is clever.

[@8AKI47]

Holee fog!

[@theskepticalpangolininther3538]

genuis-

[@minetruly]

Ahh, thank you. I was wondering if there was meaning to the names.

[@apenasvivendoaparentemente]

Muito obrigado por essa informação estava procurando no google e até fui na deep web... Muito Obrigado!!

[@cleffle]

Claire lives as grandfather's eyes, father's mirror, and her mom's pills yet she craves for someone to see her as she is

[@45hr52]

Wait that last dude was a woman I thought it was a guy

[@Bundles6624]

I think she lives as grandfathers cigarette s

[@444._lovergrl]

@@45hr52 Yes the “dude” in the end was a women. her mother. I honestly thought she was a man for the first couple times i watched this.

[@zamiaramirez1390]

@@45hr52 yeah alcohol and drug abuse does that to a person

[@tigerlily9405]

@@45hr52 it’s supposed to be a woman, but I’m pretty sure it was Jack voicing her so it sounds like a man

[@andrewhipp4713]

The grandpa: has terrible lungs Also grandpa: sings a banger song

[@terrasplanet3750]

Yeah he is like coughing blood how is he singing that

[@crowMilatonin]

@@terrasplanet3750 He practiced a lot

[@Angrybirb]

Agreed

[@fatguywhobreathesfire6488]

He’s also blind, but spends all his time watching TV

[@trustmeimaplaguedoctor4967]

Why does it sound so easy to breath on tv

[@M.C.C_Mellypope]

Anyone else notice that the grandpa yells at her to “get out” because she’s “not Claire”, but at the end we learn that she is Claire, so that means her grandpa can’t recognize her at all, no matter what, which could mean for so many days he’d assume she’s someone else that broke in or something

[@CatchTheMarmosets]

Well he is blind

[@M.C.C_Mellypope]

@@CatchTheMarmosets yeah I know but I still find it kinda sad

[@FilmBucket]

i saw a comment a while back theorizing that he had alzheimer's, but honestly the theory that he's just so absent in her life that he doesn't even know her presence makes a lot of sense too

[@christiancrais]

That’s why his line is just “Hi, Opal!” All she needs from him is a greeting, acknowledgment of her presence. Simply saying “Hi” is her fantasy of him.

[@justinisorange]

Someone pointed out a heartbreaking fact that in her fantasized opening Claire is so starved she can't even imagine what a hamburger tastes like, which is why she just dances on the plate, because she doesn't know what to do with it.

[@-stage_number_03-95]

My gosh.

[@EspeciallyWesley]

You mean opal?

[@sadsal2942]

@@EspeciallyWesley Opal is her name that she uses when she imagines herself with her “real” family. Claire is her actual name in reality.

[@justinisorange]

@@EspeciallyWesley the way I understand it the sequence at the beginning is actually a dream and the other house is reality. I think her real name is actually claire

[@bean-oe6rd]

@@EspeciallyWesley no, opal is the girl on the billboard

[@Jenny_Charis]

I think it’s interesting how Claire takes the name Opal in her fantasy family instead of her actual name. It shows how she literally cannot fathom anyone showing any interest in her. She has to be someone else to be able to feel loved.

[@obesemonkeyking]

She takes the name opal based off opals diner because you can see how happy abs loving the family looks there 10:43 and the reason the song says mile away if you look closely the sign says 9 miles away.

[@vksof]

Honestly as someone raised in an enviroment as terrifying, and getting dissociative identity disorder from it just to survive, this really shows the reality of it tbh

[@AverageMfDoomEnjoyer]

Not even to feel loved, to feel acknowledged

[@elenaxthatxbitch]

SAME

[@nugget1631]

I'm sure I don't need to point it out but there's also the symbolism within the names, Claire meaning clarity and Opal meaning opaque

[@effeffiagonalick5078]

In Opal’s real life, her mother sings about needing a mama’s girl, but in her imagination, she’s a daddy’s girl instead. The attention to detail here is on another level.

[@clem7904]

also opal mother in the real world grabs claire, while in her imagination her mother’s hands are behind her back

[@sashelle7735]

@@clem7904 yall are so smart

[@LaCabraAsada]

@@clem7904 that's actually a really neat detail! I hadn't noticed

[@LaCabraAsada]

Her father is probably the most "funcional".. he's not addicted to any fisical drug, and while the grandfather screamed at her to give him his cigarattes and her mother vented about how she (Opal/Claire) "didn't love her enough" (despite the fact it was her who was neglecting her daughter) and went as far as to attack her fisically when she grabbed her by the ankle. So I think out of everyone the father, though still abusive and neglectful, is the one Opal/Claire is the least scared of.

[@jesssimmonds3034]

The mother actually wants the other way around.. she wants a little girl to take care of HER :(

[@TheWonder_OfU]

The lyric “and in our eyes you’ll stay” is actually pretty tragic when you think about it being something like “we can’t help, there’s nothing we can do except look at you and your house.” It’s almost like them apologizing that they can’t do anything and telling her that all they can do is watch as she undergoes her family’s abuse.

[@juniperberryyyy]

I both love and hate how realistic the alcoholic mother is. The way she acts, talks, everything hits too close to reality

[@Zoritos64]

I agree completely

[@poisonkid528]

In some ways I can see how she reflects off myself

[@Tizzer169]

@James Alderman grandma? Which ones that?

[@Tizzer169]

@James Alderman gotchu bro :)

[@jogolord8122]

poisonkid528 what

[@hibiscusbuds6414]

the most terrifying part is: this story isn't exaggerated. It's extremely accurate

[@hauwley]

Makes me wonder if Jack has experienced it as well.

[@StarBoyMyio]

I think that’s why he makes this stuff.

[@jedinight235]

Holy fuckign shit your right.

[@Pasclesrm]

1:37

[@SidneyRees]

@@hauwley You should watch Gettin' My Mom On - Jack Stauber

[@eyeseedee]

Considering the last thing Jack did for Adult Swim was essentially a lighthearted grocery store allegory for self-improvement, I didn't expect this one to rip my heart into pieces...

[@pugasaurusrex8253]

I never expected “Your bread isn’t you” to change my life

[@drenchedmango1694]

give me the PEECAN COOKIES

[@bella_bby1022]

@@drenchedmango1694 *ive never had those cookies before in my life*

[@jamesmarker3956]

What are you, deaf?

[@brandonaraiza8391]

Im not deaf

[@blahblahblah9372]

If youre a kid whos going through this I want you to know its not forever. Do your best to focus on what you can control. The faster you are out, the faster you can start to heal. Its scary to start alone but its not as impossible as it feels. Start small. Take any advantage job wise that you can find and leave as quick as you can. Failure will be mocked Im sure but you will have your freedom eventually. Even when no one else does, God loves you. Im rooting for you.

[@muffinscientist_c9759]

My fam ain't as worse as this but I grew up with an abusive mom. Both physical and verbal. My dad won't do anything abt it. My sisters thinks am just being a black sheep. My family is a heavily religious family and I can tell u that it's soffucating growing up. In elementary, my mom would hit me or pinch me whenever I don't understand my homeworks as fast as she wants me to or whenever I get a reallyy bad grade. When I'm on junior highschool, my dad joined beating me up as well and of course I got so fed up with that and talked back to them and that made my sisters think that I'm being a rude ungrateful child and they hated me for it. I'm 20 now and they still continue to make my mental health worse despite of them claiming that god is in control of them. My mom refuses to believe that she hits me and feels like am attacking her whenever this trauma kicks in and I try to open it up to her. Dad, well at least he listens and acknowledges that depression is real and his daughter have it. But yeah, he still just stares at me whenever I'm having an episode bc he dunno what to do. My sisters thinks that am not helping myself to be better and they're mad bc I can't even lift a finger to draw again (I draw a lot back then) good thing dad told em that it's not easy to do the things u used to when ur dealing with depression. I've been asking for a therapist for like years and they won't ever consider it until the school councilor said it herself. Mom even though that I scared the councilor with my mental health test results. But I'm scheduled an appointment next next week. Finally. Opal hits the spot, and it's so horrible to think abt there's a lot of opals in this world who's dealing with this or worse.

[@cherry_bleeds]

@@muffinscientist_c9759u ok now sweet....?

[@Tiatheunicorntwin]

​​@@muffinscientist_c9759 get away from that ugly disgusting atrocious disgraceful "mother" shes horrid she should be locked away and the key should be thrown away try to get out of there this may of been month's ago but please u deserve better its disgusting the abuse u had to face i am so sorry

[@uhohitsme7733]

Has no one noticed that the fantasy-mom is encouraging Claire just by picking up a burger. saying things like "you can do it!" It really shows that Claire really wants her real mother to encourage her and show her attention for once even for the most simplest things

[@foiledagain1914]

Also, notice how the fantasy-dad is trying to get Claire not to go back to reality, and how he is obviously looking out for her, unlike her actual dad, who is self centered and only sees himself.

[@zacattack8198]

@@foiledagain1914 and her fantasy- grandfather is saying “Hi Opal!” It just shows how she wants to be noticed by her real grandfather.

[@briannah7675]

your right:(

[@SmileM00re]

It’s kind of sad if you think about it

[@acmecomments]

also she has trouble picking it up because its not real

[@Nooby_2D]

You know what’s even sadder? Eventually, the billboard is going to change into a new ad. Then what will she do?

[@wilmagregg3131]

it seems like shes in the middle of nowhere as theres no other houses on the street so the billboard likely wont be changed till shes in her teens at least

[@Nooby_2D]

@@wilmagregg3131 Yeah I thought the same thing. If she was in the middle of nowhere or like in the countryside.

[@Sheepthereaper]

Have a family of men holding shaves for your ball sax

[@user-kh8uw8mx2g]

@@Sheepthereaper sorry what m8

[@ShriekingHyperFixator]

I guess she will have to have a family of toyatas

[@error-try-again-later]

"Momma needs a baby girl to hold her hair..." So Claire isn't just being neglected, she's being parentified. The fact she seems to be the only one "taking care" of Grandpa, and that shot of someone frantically dialing a phone number, adds to this theory. She has to take care of all these selfish adults who aren't taking care of her in return.

[@Mx.muffin]

That line also implies she had to hold her mother's hair back as she throws up from the amount of alcohol she drinks, since that's usually something someone would do for someone who needs to throw up

[@thebathroom6327]

I believe the frantically dialing number is the dad running from an abusive mom before being disfigured (shown by the shriveling face, after) leading to his obsession with his appearance

[@TheArtzyAnimal]

The number being dialed is 911

[@kaelig.8569]

Here's my take: the phrasing of Virtuous Cycle is key. "Momma needs a little girl to take good care" is a phrase that could be read two ways: mother caring for the child or child caring for the mother. It's pretty apparently the latter. The flashing through dialling and wine spilling coupled with the image of the mother's eyes rolling back is likely a flashback to when Claire had to call 911 due to her mother ODing on pills/alcohol poisoning.

[@yourshoulderdevil5229]

​@@kaelig.8569that was the Dad dialing the phone and it looks like either Claire or her father are hit after.

[@Cosmoraver83]

Throughout watching this video, it really shows how child neglect can affect a person’s everday life. I noticed opal is the one taking care of the parents and not the parents taking care of her, and she is acting as their eyes because they can’t see her.That’s why instead of in her fantasy, the parents don’t say ‘we love you opal’ they say ‘we see you opal’. She only wanted to be acknowledged, only wanted the bare minimum.

[@dio102]

None of the caregivers are better than the other. The grandfather is so lost in his addiction to cigarettes that he keeps deteriorating his health. No matter how much Claire tries to help, he doesn’t recognize it or even recognize her. He rather be eaten up by fate and delusions of TV freedom than change for himself or even Claire’s sake. He is obviously going into a dissociative state from old age and the damage of smoking. He throws an insult to her “They’re much more interested in me than anything you have going on”. He is choosing himself and his escapism over her. The father is a blatant narcissistic man who only looks at himself and his issues as well. He insults Claire, telling her he wouldn’t want to have her ankles. This probably implies he belittles her a lot for her appearance to make himself look better. He is very erratic and changes moods consistently throughout. His dialogue implies that he puts guilt on Claire all the time for getting tired of listening to his rambling: “You know how this makes me feel!!”. Mother is obviously a pill head and a drunk. She speaks in holy patterns, maybe a past Christian of some sort. Her brain is scrambled like eggs and wants the support of Claire so badly. She seems to physically go after Claire. Her song implies she wants Claire to hold her hair for her when she is sick, coddle her, and take care of her self-destructive bouts. Those are all things a mother should do. Claire is too young to assist with this properly and what Mother says is very manipulative. All of them say things that are. They are all clouded by themselves and their own personal escapism which is killing them slowly in the end. Each one is just as abusive as the other in different ways and damaging to Claire, as she is afraid of all of them or unnerved by them no matter what scene. They all have bursts of anger that translate to trauma for Claire. The house is haunted, but not by ghosts. It’s haunted by humans who are husks of who they once were, and Claire unfortunately has to be the one to take the blows from it. You could interpret the ending as Claire realizing she is either just like them with her escapism or realizing that she is their eternal crutch and has no physical ending to this suffering. Either one requires a scream like the one at the end. The billboard family represents what Claire wants. Claire wants to be seen by her grandpa: “Hi Opal!!” Claire wants to be complimented by her father: “Thatt-a girl!” Claire wants security from her mother: “Go on, you can do it!” All the things they want from other sources. And Claire is just the crying little girl in the attic, part of this dysfunctional family, making haunting melodies from the inside. She can hear herself and is drawn into reality from it.

[@thuurhermans]

this is the best comment yet

[@thuurhermans]

especially the part where you explain the "hi opal" that-a girl" and "go on, you can do it"

[@wick0ngaming125]

I still don’t get it 😃

[@indigovetro2376]

Your MIND damn

[@saucystavii2064]

You broke down everything. Wow.

[@gamerpigeonakafbi8210]

The dad is such a cool design, a man so narcissistic he can literally only see himself

[@melified]

Not narcissistic, I think he’s something else. Narcissism is where you see yourself so highly you only see yourself. What he’s experiencing is about the exact opposite.

[@skylararcana]

@@melified Most narcissists develop narcissism because they hate themselves and their looks at first, though, I believe.

[@weirdthoughts5420]

Yeah, as a perfectionist I relate to him to an extent

[@ClosetPankin]

@@melified This is incorrect. There are many narcissists who have intense self-loathing issues. It's not necessarily having such a high opinion of yourself. While narcissistic tendencies are a natural part of the human psyche, a narcissist is someone who obsesses over their own self at the behest of others. For example, a narcissistic parent will subconsciously see their child as an extension of themselves. What's good for them is good for the kid, what they want is what the kid needs and the kid expressing their own will is then a personal attack on the parent.

[@maivankhaiiii]

I think the dad saw the true himself, Claire's imagination saw what her dad is really like.

[@TunettiSpaghetti]

Other Grandpa: _Sings a jam._ Opal's Grandpa: *H I O P A L*

[@incognito7838]

Just if you didn't know. They're both opal's Grandpa just in different perspectives.

[@kachinkingofpopyehe2986]

Opal (Clair just wants her grandpa to say hi to her which is all sad

[@weirdcakes304]

You mean Clair’s Grandpa: Sings a jam.

[@nicolelwants2sleep]

Tbh *H I O P A L* is also a jam

[@user-cb3lg3be5z]

hi opal jsjjs

[@charlotteconner4376]

I think some peoples interpretation of the burger scene at the begining might not be 100% right. At least for me, in my life/my experience, I would think Opal/Claire DOES know what a burger is (what kid doesnt). She doesnt dance with it because she doesnt know what to do with it, she just cant eat it in her fantasy because then why would she still be hungry in real life? Her dance scene is a way for her to get recognition, acknowledgment and love from her family. She cant accually EAT the burger because then she shouldnt be hungry right? Its the same reason the mother takes the burger away because opal looks too "tired" to eat. Its just another way to expain away her empty belly. Her family cares so much about her that they think she needs to sleep more than she needs to eat. This is what i always told myself(or some version of it) when i went to bed hungry. I think both interpretations are valid and interesting though 😊

[@charlotteconner4376]

This would also expain way in the end her family is surrounded by burgers. She's even more hungry now AND she needs extra distraction from the real world

[@grimmick9446]

I think it's supposed to be both. She very rarely eats but even in dissociation you can fanatize about food. Many starved children do. Also the way she kinda just taps it and touches it too. Hence "dancing around it" But you can also take it this way. I think both are correct for sure , double entendre. 'opal' is performing for they're attention and affection.

[@Tiatheunicorntwin]

Its a weird theory but burgers are on the billboard and they get a lot of attention from the family on billboard and the people who put it up there so is that why she jumps onto the plate while holding the burger cuz she wants the same amount of attention? Stupid theory. I know 💀

[@kaylaisnothere4397]

What's scary is that Claire wasn't in the wrong house, the grandpa couldn't identify Claire because she didn't say anything and smelled different. Of course it's sad that he can't help it, but it's also terrifying to realize Claire might experience this sort of thing often. A family member thinking you're a stranger and chasing after you sounds like a living nightmare to me as an adult, even more terrifying as a child.

[@demoncyborg5458]

Fun little tidbit: cigarettes actually messes up your sense of smell

[@kaylaisnothere4397]

@@demoncyborg5458 Dang I never even knew or considered that.

[@ron9365]

@@demoncyborg5458 i actually never knew that cool

[@hannahbg1852]

Exactly! Yet again if she did make her presence correctly i don't think he would have done much to hurt her.

[@hannahbg1852]

@@demoncyborg5458 Whoa, I didn't know that either-

[@vibeauxssxuaebiv3489]

This is unbelievably terrifying, and not because the art is creepy, but because it's a meta truth that constitutes so many people's reality. It's terrifying that it's common and many don't escape

[@sodacan_9812]

some do physically, but the complete emotional damage always stays and you cant get rid of it

[@Victor-hc9dp]

I am your 1K like! Lol

[@lungse.2565]

@@Victor-hc9dp I beat my wife

[@toughblackniggawithglocks1103]

@@lungse.2565 me too for food stamps

[@lungse.2565]

@@toughblackniggawithglocks1103 "she was born disabled haha :)"

[@cameron1037]

The fact that claires dream family say "we see you" instead of "we love you" probably means she doesn't even know what love is because of the amount of neglect she suffered so the closest thing she knows to love is attention. While that is an incredible detail, it is equally sad as it is incredible

[@xw591]

Yes!

[@riakaty1979]

Also the fact they say 'in our eyes you'll stay' instead of 'in our hearts you'll stay'. I love the details in this short film

[@brooklynwylie1142]

The more i payed attention to this lovely little video created by a genius called jack stauber, the more I realized that Claire’s dream family sort of, ‘fixes’ what makes her uncomfortable about her real family. 1. Her grandfather in real life talks in a very low and kind of unsettling voice, so her dream grandfather almost never talks, and when he does talk, he just sounds like a nice old man. 2. Her dream dad seems to pay the most attention to her because in reality, her dad only pays attention to himself and doesn’t give a darn about his kid unless he wants to put her down so he can give himself a little self-esteem boost. 3. Her mother in reality abuses her a lot, so in her dream, the mother has her hands behind her back most of the time so that Claire can feel safe. I know I didn’t have to comment all this, but I just wanted to point some little things. And thanks for reading all of this.

[@Vanilavanlinepings]

mhm im crying

[@AsdfAsdf-mi6ks]

It’s also kind of an equivalent to I love you cause her real family never see her. Just use her.

[@starry-t4y]

Claire = clear Opal= opaque As Clair, she’s see-through, no one sees or gets her. As Opal, she’s seen and understood :(

[@CynthiaOrtega-zq8fu]

stolen comment

[@Jahycore]

It’s sad hearing the grandpa say “It’s evil to help people who don’t need help” clearly implying he doesn’t see his situation as a problem, even when Claire hides his cigarettes to try and get him to stop.

[@iamlegend835]

Id assume he knows its a problem (His whole song is about wanting to breath properly). Every smoker these days knows. But at his age and condition (coughing blood right after that quote) he knows quitting will not save him. The irony is, he does need help to smoke (just not to quit). So evil if you do, evil if you don't help sort of situation. Very realistic.

[@EmpyricReporter]

i think he just knows that it's already too late to stop, his condition is already really bad so he smokes because it cant get any worse i think that each member of the family was also neglected or abused in some way and that they need claire to be their emotional support wich is something that happens really often

[@MrSaemichlaus]

"Just like these people on television, Claire, you're far more interested in me than anything you've got going on" He denies his real need for help so much that he even stabs back at Claire, telling her she is interfering with him, while she really just intends to help him get off of his fatal habit. She's trying to help him, but he's in denial and rejects her help by gaslighting her. She knows that nobody else will help him and he's basically forcing her to surrender him to his tragic demise. And in the end, she will probably be blamed all over again.

[@yotus5918]

I think he may have also been referring to the other family members as they aren't physically unable to move as badly as him. He can't see due to blindness while the others could see if they moved the mirror or stopped taking drugs

[@iamlegend835]

​@@yotus5918 Another interesting aspect may be, because of his blindness (perhaps from birth), he is not aware of Clair's daydreaming or malnourishment at all. This makes the story even more dark when you try to pinpoint who is responsible for Clair's condition. Considering how the father only wants to be seen (just like Clair), it may be safe to assume the dads' father is the blind grandpa. I may be reading between the lines to much... But that may also explain why he remains in the abusive relationship at the cost of his daughters wellbeing.

[@WEKDARLING]

imagine being the kid up at midnight and seeing this on the tv

[@Parkeriscoo]

Me rn

[@cosmicdoodles2992]

@@Parkeriscoo same

[@SPACECOWBOY705]

@@Parkeriscoo you have a bright future kid

[@Txrtlyz]

Literally me

[@artsticflea3539]

I would seriously look back at it and think it was a dream.

[@kendrasewell7489]

I think the reason that the imaginary grandpa is saying, "Hi, Opal!" because her real grandpa doesn't greet her with a, "hi." Instead he says, "Claire? Is that you? Here, I need you to bring me my cigarettes." Opal just wants a simple "Hi" instead of "bring me my cigarettes" from her grandpa.

[@spxzzo]

Sounds like my grandpa ngl

[@hannahbg1852]

@@spxzzo Bruh

[@hannahbg1852]

That's true, I'm glad people are still pointing things out about this short. Truly amazing. Also I love your pfp!

[@Nofixdahdress]

I think there's elements of that in her imaginary mom and dad as well. Her mom says "There she is" which implies a healthier amount of space, instead of the codependency her real mom is trying to foster. And her dad says "That's my girl" which puts the focus on her instead of himself. I might be reading a bit too into it, but I'm betting their lines were all chosen hint at what it is that she's missing in her relationships with their real-world counterparts.

[@hannahbg1852]

@@Nofixdahdress That makes alot of sense too!!

[@capncook3]

The fact that so many people grew up like this is heartbreaking and sadly accurate

[@SleeplessStreams]

For people who didn't watch to the very last second: Opal's house doesn't exist, Opal doesn't exist, this is Claire. Opal is a fictional character created for a burger ad, an idealized family situation that Claire looks to for comfort. There never was an Opal.

[@bubbasvega2316]

Explain where her house dosnt exists ? I’m curious

[@_indigo_inked]

@@bubbasvega2316 The house across the street that the short film starts in doesn’t exist. It’s just a billboard Claire looks at from out her window

[@bubbasvega2316]

@@_indigo_inked you are absolutely right and I knew this I thought you were saying CLAIRES house didn’t exist I was like how in the fucccck😂😂 but yeee

[@TimwareInc2007]

Doesn’t make sense noting the you’re not Claire who are you get out of my house line

[@Fundeadkidsweep]

@@TimwareInc2007 he's blind and relies on other senses so he thought it wasn't Claire even though it was

[@Ojayy2121]

The dad saying “where are you going!? You know how this feels to me” got me. Don’t put your adult issues on your kids :(

[@Chaos_Gargoyle]

Sorry I know this was like a week ago but I think it's "Where are you going?! You know how this makes me feel!!" It's so so sad Claire has to deal with all these mentally ill adults😕

[@landmindssoul4636]

Mine is when the mom keeps "forgiving" for her daughter being inconsiderate or trauma dumping to her. I relate to that so much. My mom kept wanting to be my best friend. (Therapist)

[@mauranicholson4510]

reminded me so much of my narcissist dad :(

[@ghoull2010]

i only heard him just saying "ohh.. now this just makes me feel" and, thats it

[@sageourplanetmeow]

They say every child deserves a parent/carer But not every parent/carer deserves a child, and it’s true

[@TheJennyfitz]

"...and they never repent the way I want them too." That line gives me the shivers. That mother is too real.

[@avery3834]

For real. She reminds me of my mum and that makes it 1000x creepier

[@at1laztheaveragefurry]

@@avery3834 you ok now tho?

[@boringbread7503]

@@avery3834 Same here. Honestly, she's so realistic and disturbing to me because of how she reminds me of my own mom. (I'm out obviously, I'm an adult living on my own now)

[@avery3834]

@@at1laztheaveragefurry I mean, kinda. Like she says that she has changed and I think she did, but still she acts really aggressive and says things that I want to imagine she doesn't mean to, and I have to protect my little sister of her. So let's say I'm not as bad as back then.

[@enterprisingbiosphere3933]

group therapy with no therapist!

[@clarkem.5269]

The way the billboard lights are reflected in Claire’s eyes every time she’s looking at her fake family is incredible attention to detail. This whole short should be used to teach perfect story telling and animation.

[@Tiatheunicorntwin]

Its a weird theory but burgers are on the billboard and they get a lot of attention from the family on billboard and the people who put it up there so is that why she jumps onto the plate while holding the burger cuz she wants the same amount of attention? Stupid theory. I know 💀

[@real_neeon]

It’s insane how the blind smokers song is better at convincing people not to smoke better than 90% of all PSA’s.

[@HOVNA]

Made me proud that I stopped smoking because I know how I would feel during it if I still did.

[@kevinbissinger]

How many smokers told you they quit because of this?

[@adorableadory]

fr tho

[@gpettus9508]

*It's gay to smoke* /j

[@uncleseamus4289]

​@Kevin Bissinger I still smoke and probably will till the day I die, however I won't deny the impact the song has had.

[@Angelmochianimations]

The fact that she is so neglected that simply saying “There she is” is love is horrible:(

[@spazADHD99]

It’s her escapism

[@spazADHD99]

I’ve met these families

[@justint361]

@PaperclipMirrors-jo5jk please dont assume genders it very triggering for some ppl,

[@liam2988]

​@@justint361but Opal is established as a girl in the short tho?

[@eclipse4474]

Reminder that the internet is NOT responsible for your triggers

[@aquaticstripper]

"You're just as powerless as I am, Claire" the only thing more painful than seeing a parent be so helpless is knowing that you joined them in their victim complex during your formative years.

[@broccolize]

i think the mother was threatening her with that line, which is why claire runs. she was about to be hit or something

[@obliviousbeat7439]

...

[@NightItselfSince0000]

And the fact that she was trying to make it seem like Claire should be taking care of her instead! Ma'am, that is your child! If she couldn't handle taking care of her child without developing a victim complex and projecting it onto said child, she shouldn't have children. Claire needs to be taken away from that household.

[@dollhead2039]

⁠​⁠@@NightItselfSince0000 well thankfully they’re not real and if they were Claire would be in her 30s by now lol

[@Archy_Lee-m1t]

woah im reading comments as im watching the video and i read that at the same time she said it. But yea its terrible.

[@wingsofhope2]

It's great to go in blind, because I was initially freaked out by how uncanny the billboard family at the beginning was. But once I watched the rest, seeing the billboard family again at the end was a RELIEF.

[@JosephTStanley]

Grandpa yelling at Opal is scary. Grandpa yelling at Claire, his own granddaughter, not recognizing her is terrifying

[@rubenssilveira5765]

Imagine

[@not_maui7244]

The grandpa probably has alzheimer's and truly thinks he doesn't know her

[@1000REMBOY]

@@not_maui7244 it's not that he thinks he doesn't know her, he actually doesn't anymore. That is the demon of Alzheimer's.

[@ОлегОленев-я3о]

@@not_maui7244 He's literally blind

[@rileylegault3329]

@@ОлегОленев-я3о he describes recognizing her through scent

[@gaeriefire2762]

minor detail about the grandpa’s song: the “girls” to him are just mouths on static bodies because he’s blind and only thinks of them as voices

[@Tam_Tam24]

Ohh that explains the “they dance, too, I assume” and the “you smell weird”

[@gaeriefire2762]

@@Tam_Tam24 yeah

[@seaiscool3508]

And he also says “it sounds easy to breathe” instead of “look so easy to breathe”

[@faustosegal3560]

And he has that blind glasses

[@acidicali7776]

Yeah..he has blind people glasses. It should’ve been obvious

[@Grxblrg5757]

Something a lot of people overlook is the double meaning behind "and in our eyes you'll stay". When its said in the first song, its a comforting line, meaning that the family will always see Opal. But when its said in the last line, its much more creepy, because the family on the Billboard is looking at Claire in her house, saying that she will stay in her abusive household, staring at that billboard wishfully.

[@LadyJayne2102]

Also, this detail probably doesn’t matter and wasn’t intentional, but At the end when the grandpa takes off his glasses, his eye are replaced with Opal/Claire. So at the start it is meant metaphorically, while at the end it’s literal. Doesn’t matter, just thought it was a cool detail

[@brianarendon111]

I agree! Phrases that have double meaning or interpretations are all the more unsettling when used in horror. “We see you,” a statement of validation and acknowledgment and then, “We see you,” a threat, a warning, it also echos the paranoid thoughts of people with mental illness! Either way, it’s a excellent play on words!

[@LadyJayne2102]

@@brianarendon111 ye

[@Nolosers36]

I also means that the old man quite literally uses Clair as his eyes cause he’s blind and expects her to hand him things

[@nakynie463]

Awe man :(

[@XxJUSTSOMEONExX]

“You’re just as powerless as I am, Claire. See?” As the mother went to reach for the bottle is so well crafted. The mother actively pushing Claire down to a sense of being equal or even lesser than her (the mother) is such a good captivation on how people who only see their own struggles push down others to make them feel better. It was the complete opposite for the dad, who was framing himself as the victim and constantly used the term “little” to refer to himself, blaming Claire for being so mean/mad at him for know reason (since he is a “growing thing”)

[@Definitely_Not_paisley]

50 minutes ago:3

[@TyperMarlinGames]

The line “Hi, Opal!” really hits hard when you understand the context. Claire is fantasizing about her grandfather saying “hi” to her. And this is enough to get her excited. That is just horrifying.

[@fortnite5205]

Same with "there she is". She craves the attention, not the love because she has no concept on what it truly is and the more i think about every little detail the more i wanna bawl

[@Kaleestraza]

@@fortnite5205 That's what people say to small babies, too. I think Opal is so young she barely understands anything around her and it just makes this so much worse.

[@bekkihughes1564]

Hahah

[@jakelolzhaha]

Hi, opal!

[@profoxster9254]

And the little dance with the burger since she doesnt know that shes supposed to eat it instead of dancing with it

[@NachosNVeganChili]

The father is so self-absorbed, and this is probably exacerbated by the abusive mother who not only seems to have had a hand in destroying his face, but probably continuously puts him down, saying such things as “nobody else will love you now, you’re lucky to still have me”

[@him1517]

yeah the father seems to be a victim of abuse as well

[@misschibianime9183]

If you look in the mother’s flashback, somebody hits her while she tries to call 911, and it looks like she drops Claire on the floor while she was a baby. It was probably the father, or the grandfather.

[@dogmeat4466]

@@misschibianime9183 I think in the flash black the Father was calling.

[@hahahahahaha1786]

@Dr. Cool That’s one thing I love about this short, it has the balls to say that women can be dicks too

[@bedbug8794]

11:09 if you pause you can see his real face

[@ventoventi]

it’s crazy how jack’s managed to so accurately portray a child in an abusive household, and how even though emotional abuse doesn’t leave marks, it scars just as badly as a beating. as someone who was abused as a child for 8 years, it feels nice to finally be represented in something like this.. my dad’s quite similar to the mirror man, actually.

[@faris318]

s

[@Cage-CatYT]

I'm sorry man :( hope you're doing better

[@luciareynoso6814]

Oh god, are you, like, alrigth now? Even that this could happend along time ago, that doesnt means that you feel less sad, bad, or even depressed :(

[@auroraazura6256]

“Even though emotional abuse doesn’t leave marks, it scars just as badly as beating.” I… I needed to hear that. Thank you.

[@luciareynoso6814]

Your welcome, its pretty good to know that i did just say help you, even if its just a little ^^

[@Doodles_and_Company]

It’s comforting to know that someone understands how I felt as a kid but also really sad because I would never want that for anyone else.

[@wesleyh.2397]

Notice how the dad, right after the song, tells claire he doesn't know why they always have to talk about these things. But *they* didn't talk about anything. Claire didn't say anything. He had full control over the topic of the "conversation", yet he still blames claire, unable to see any fault of his own, not just physically but also in his actions and he projects everything onto claire.

[@nox-jp1st]

narcissism

[@Rosesareblueberries]

Claire is less sacred of the father because she knows that he will not lay a hand on her, but she is still visibly upset and uncomfortable when he starts talking. I noticed that when she speaks with her grandfather and mother she is terrified and stays scared through out their whole interaction. But with her father she is able to relax slightly. The father is a narcissist. He is obsessed with how he looks. He sees the world literally revolving around him. In his song he calls him self a god. He couldn’t handle being rejected. He controlled the conversation. He guilt trips her into talking with him. He says things like “I actually look really good in that glad I don’t have your ankles tho” he could not just say hay I like your outfit today but instead had to give himself a compliment while also putting Claire down. He also blamed Claire when he broke his mirror saying “ you know how that makes me feel”.

[@Rosesareblueberries]

there are many other examples of narcissism in her short interaction with her father. She has no safe adult or person that she can turn to for comfort or support. My heart breaks for her and all the other children who are or have gone through this.

[@kaitylerson811]

@@Rosesareblueberries haha yah. We all obsess about leaving a better planet for our kids but what about leaving better kids for the planet?

[@tigercat1080]

my dad did exactly this

[@alfredvickers4054]

I just realized that the reprise of "We see you, Opal" is louder and more intense than at the beginning, possibly indicating that Claire is retreating even deeper into her fantasy world, not simply returning to it.

[@bobygreen8429]

idk what you mean louder, but notice how burgers are spinning in the air for no reason? This is a similar indication. The burger imagery is focused on too much, to the point where it looks distracting, and forced, reflecting how Opal is forcing herself to focus on the fantasy, trying to distract herself.

[@yalfostable]

It's also not her first time in this fantasy, as the first time we see her imaginary family, is after she's grimacing (0:52), suggesting she just had a bad experience with her real family. We see it a second time at 11:22

[@kimpedchenko6426]

@@bobygreen8429In fact, if you look at the first “We see you Opal” You see the billboard lights, and the second one conceals it as she tries to hide from the fact it”s just a billboard.

[@AmariTaylor-m9v]

Claire is the mom I think

[@sudokuacrobatics]

The fact that even her imaginary family is still relatively dysfunctional is insane

[@adelinecoan6544]

“ we don’t live Claire, we survive”that sent chills down my spine

[@carissagissel2055]

ME 2

[@cosmiceclipse3142]

You're just as powerless as I am, Claire... SEE?

[@DanAllbee]

This was the exact moment the video was interrupted for me by an ad about it being tax season. "We don't live, Claire. We FILE TAXES WITH AN EXPERT."

[@axserwz5022]

@@DanAllbee I'd say that they still got the idea across

[@hurricanejaney]

“and they never repent how i *want* them to.”

[@alyssavelasquez4903]

I relate a lot to the mother one but it really hit me when u heard the mother say “I forgive everyone of you, every night. It’s a virtuous cycle.” Or “You’re just like me.” Hurt and made me cry because it reminded me so much of my mother who chose her addictions over her family, and a lot of mothers think of themselves as “heros” because they brought children into the world, even if they verbally abuse or physically that child or children. They think they are entitled to love and respect because they think of themselves as “heros” to everyone one around them. As much as I love my mom and appreciate her she gives me her fault and says she “needs” me in her life when she uses me and guilt trips me and manipulates me into believing her excuses for being a addict,liar, manipulator excuse for a mother.

[@dungeondaddy5323]

My friend pointed out that when Claire looks to her window and white lace comes out its symbolic as losing her innocence. White lace represents purity and innocence and its literally flying out the window Edit: all of you are gay sorry I don't make the rules

[@Kai-gj3ji]

It looked like a mushroom

[@succulentplant1985]

I thought it was snake skin-

[@irkenpony17]

That is just horrible q - q Poor Claire.

[@hilimart919]

might be coincident, but when the mom closes the curtains they are of the same lace -or similar lace. So by your understanding her literal innocence is sheltering her from the reality

[@robbybrueck3403]

Pog

[@alivingpersonudontknowbehi6082]

I like how the music subtly reflects how Claire views each of her family members. The Grandpa’s song is low, and builds tension, almost like something you’d hear in a horror film, reflecting how Claire is constantly on edge around him. Any wrong move could cause an outburst. The father’s song is a gentle music box, calming but also unnerving. It shows how Claire feels uncomfortable, but certainly sees him as the “safest” out of the others. The mom’s is wavered and unclear, it’s tilted just like her vision, as a result of all the drugs and alcohol. But her encounter starts with a large, horrific stinger. Claire knows of her mother’s unstable behavior, and feels nothing but unsafe in her presence. She doesn’t know if an interaction with her mom will make her miserable, or leave scars. At least that’s my interpretation.

[@throwmeoffabuilding]

How do you have 833 likes and no comments??

[@alivingpersonudontknowbehi6082]

@@throwmeoffabuildingNot a clue lmao

[@ryogaschair]

​@𝔾𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕞𝕪 𝕄𝕠𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 I just think nobody disagrees with them lmao

[@Jojiwolfioriginal]

Interesting observation

[@yaodongheng6240]

this film is about child neglect and the family she went to is actually her own, Grandpa uses her for his own use, dad is a narcissist who only cares only about himself, mom is an alcoholic who only wants Claire/Opal to look after her. She is now mentally unstable and is hallucinating her imaginary family which is the one on the billboard and at the beginning. There was only one house, to begin with

[@kingdededelicious]

I noticed that Claire/Opal's imaginary family sing together as a trio in the same room while individual members of her real family sing solos in three separate rooms, which could represent how she wishes that her family could just be together to love her.

[@kaitylerson811]

observant. family disconnect. It's a type of toxic family systems called "ships in the night" where everyone takes on their own ships and goes in their own directions.

[@vksof]

True. That makes sense! Also, they may not be imaginary. With Dissociative identity disorder many indivuals really exist in one body (often seperated with amnesia walls/grey outs in memory). DID is caused by childhood trauma, and this whole film is a really good explanation of how it works to help kids survive abuse.

[@suboyo]

@@vksof Good point, but the family itself is still imaginary, though the Opal alter may not be.

[@tediumluvs]

@@vksof i think it's just maladaptive daydreaming. happens a lot w neglect victims.

[@vksof]

@@tediumluvs Youre wrong and need to research dissociative identity disorder before commenting that. Its literally a product of repeated childhood abuse. Google what a "fictive" is and be respectful of others trying to educate you.

[@Max_Hyper]

You can see 4 lights visible on Claire's eyes at 0:54 the lights are present during the entirety of Claire's dream. The lights are the billboard lights. And you can see how the rest of the dream family doesn't have it. The lights disappear when claire steps into the real house and reappear at 10:39 when she looks at the billboard. The lights are also seen at 1:00

[@coinbutterfly8373]

It's ironic that such a dark and dreary short movie can produce such a positive and well manner comment section.

[@vikiv.1352]

Look at the comments on Everywhere at the end of time

[@Pizza_Rat]

@@vikiv.1352 nah that comment section is full of depression

[@hannahbg1852]

@@vikiv.1352 Or "Goodbye To A World" lmao

[@hannahbg1852]

True. Really shows how people can sit down and open their eyes and thoughts when the time and matter is right.

[@mbaker9931]

The Jack Stauber fandom is the only fandom ive found that isnt shipping everyone

[@lettucepersonguy6868]

One detail I don’t see a lot of people talk about is how at 9:04 the mom says “I feel terrible for all the things I’ve… I feel terrible”. I feel like this is a way of showing that despite how horrible things have gotten the mother still doesn’t want to admit that it’s her fault.

[@matthewfanous8468]

That's definitely it. It's a spectacular delivery, she was almost certainly going to say "I feel terrible for all the things I'VE DONE" but it's very easy to miss at first and she doesn't even get as far as "I've done".

[@thetruthlies7]

@@matthewfanous8468 It's actually that she's about to admit of her regrets, but being such a narcissist, she redirects the conversation to her "I feel terrible."

[@jerimiyahaligorh8792]

It's exactly how parents who raise up kids in abusive house holds are. People will not do things they believe are evil, they will justify it to themselves, doing gold worthy mental gymnastics. They hit you to "discipline" you, ignoring the fact that they busted their kids lip out of anger because their kids called out their abusive parent who abuses their other parent. The parent who won't leave the abusive relationship, even when all their kids tell them too, and then act as a martyr when they continue to face mistreatment. The parents who cry about their poverty, as if they weren’t already poor before they decided to selfishly bring life into their already broken household.

[@hamburger.sandwi]

It's very sad to see that she just wants opal/Claire as her therapist even tho it's supposed to be the other way around

[@unnaturaldodo]

​@@jerimiyahaligorh8792No need to leave abusive relationships when there's a word called fix.

[@cheesebiscuit6334]

It's also really sad that the whole "we see you, opal" line isn't just in the metaphorical sense but it's literal as well, the grandfather is blind, the father is too busy looking at himself and the mother can't see in her drunken/drugged state

[@-stage_number_03-95]

I think another thing is that at first you think it’s weird that they say “we see you”. Why not say “we love you”? But I feel like the word love is used so much in toxic relationships that Opal doesn’t want to be loved in the way her family shows love. She wants to be seen for who she is rather than “loved”.

[@4ns3LL]

The fact that this comment has 666 likes 🧍🏻‍♀️

[@-stage_number_03-95]

@@4ns3LL girl you really just made me have to unlike this comment. Smh.

[@4ns3LL]

@@-stage_number_03-95 oh 😟

[@-stage_number_03-95]

@@4ns3LL peepee

[@CowboyDan521]

As someone who grew up like this, and even now continues to shoulder the brunt of it in an attempt to ease the experience for my two younger brothers, this was a brutal film, in the best way. To hear the same words and sentiments repeated here that I have listened to daily for years was surreal. And if you, like me, have been or continue to remain in this situation, no matter the cause, I want you to know this. You are not alone. I know what you're going through. I see you, I feel your agony. It's going to be okay. Outside of the house, be kind. Be kind, work hard, and above all else hold tight to your own integrity. People will take notice and work to help you, even if you don't know it. That's how I got my dream job, working at the historical museum in my town. I never imagined it'd be as amazing as it is, but there couldn't be a more tailor-made job to fit my specific set of skills. I don't say that to brag, I say it as an example that above the neglect, above the abuse, there is still hope. Just hold on a little bit longer, kiddo. It's going to be okay.

[@thecoolman1513]

“I feel terrible for all the things… I feel terrible.” Just when you think some form of accountability will appear, the mother slashes that in half. Beautiful.

[@inkajoo]

Narcissism is just like a little game. It's pitiful and repulsive.

[@MindOverMood]

She then half acknowledges her by including both of them as if they’re both innocent parties suffering equally

[@Gorillagangsta202]

@@MindOverMoodClaire doesn’t deserve it, the mom did it to herself

[@rensis1621]

"Oops, I almost tought about someone else than myself"

[@-m00d-]

Collen Balliger but creepy

[@sebastian_goat]

“why do people look at me like the way you probably are right now” 7:02 what a great line, he’s not ACTUALLY looking at how claire sees him, HE’s deciding for himself how HE thinks she’s seeing him. edit: thanks for the likes and awesome extra takes everyone, really didn't expect 'em -- I've watched this video every day since it's come out now, I am obsessed

[@wyattdetherow6853]

yep, after the song he also says, "I dont really see why we *always* have to talk about these sorts of things" even tho HE was the one to stop Claire, and HE was the one to start singing. Kinda makes me wonder if in the past, Claire had asked him about his face before, and thats why he feels the need to "put things into prospective" for her. Or why he instantly assumes, shes looking at him with disgust.

[@AideeKay12]

god jack is so good at storytelling

[@farter_snail]

i can relate to that so fucking hard

[@nicklewry3854]

I straight up had to pause the video to digest that line when he said it. Hit me way too deep.

[@MYLAR.]

@Morgan Sumner RIGHT!! it’s hard writing abusive and subtly manipulative parents but jack nailed it on the head!!!!!

[@thiamac7358]

So this is what he's been working on all these months

[@Yickerman]

I'm so happy that the inconsistent upload schedule of his had such an excellent payoff. Can't wait for what he has to offer next

[@gorbla1231]

2... 2 months since his last video.

[@twistedclover]

Yea

[@McNibbler]

Time well spent

[@zahrahkhalid6333]

@@gorbla1231 this easily took more than two months

[@CL4P-TP_7593]

this film hits so hard. the worst part is that she didn't even make her DREAM parents say "we love you" she made them say "we see you" she wanted the very bare minimum