Therapist Reacts: GODZILLA MINUS ONE

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How do you recover from being at your lowest point?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are taking a look at Godzilla Minus One and the themes of PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and failure. They talk about how it’s a Godzilla movie with all the smashy smashy big monster fun AND it tells a story about human connection and emotions. Jonathan talks about Kōichi’s immense trauma and how well Noriko helps him through it all. Alan talks about the impeccable acting and intelligent filmmaking on a smaller budget and how it won the Oscar (!!) for Best Visual Effects. So well deserved!
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Written by: Megan Seawright, Jonathan Decker, and Alan Seawright
Produced by: Jonathan Decker, Megan Seawright, Alan Seawright, and Corinne Demyanovich
Edited by: Emily Colton
Director of Photography: Bradley Olsen
English Transcription by: Anna Preis
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[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Take the stress out of keeping up with the issues affecting our lives by checking out ground.news/cinematherapy and get 40% off the unlimited access to the Vantage plan.

[@Chloebushwa]

Female supremacists tell men to take accountability while saying their always unfairly blamed. Maybe try intellectuals humility considering you might wrong will to talk about caused and affect. Show your will to take accountability yourself hold yourself to your own standards

[@Entropic_Alloy]

This is a off topic and more related to the sponsor, but the "4B movement," is not actually a very large thing in Korea. It is considered a very fringe extremist movement, and in fact, most people in the general public don't know about it. A lot of Western news outlets are blowing it extremely out of proportion and acting like it is a huge wave in the country. There is definitely a problem with sexism in the country, but the main reason people aren't getting married and having kids isn't because of 4B or toxic men. It is the same reason why the rest of the world isn't. No one has money or house and are not financially secure enough to do so. In fact, in a recent poll given to Korean men and women about the marriage and birthrate crisis, 60+% of women cited finances as the number 1 reason and career was the second reason. Toxic men was near the bottom with ~10% of the vote with women.

[@TheMask-q7l]

Story is Extremely bad for mental health. Ability to work in reality. It causes more conflict in psychological warfare. Who's the villain. Who has to take accountability and . And extinction burst theory also comes from story. Morals become more fragile when things do work in real life as they do in story

[@TheMask-q7l]

Getting defense as if your mind isn't worth defending . Lot abusive relationships . Legal explanation official systemic oppression genocides because people believe they deserve to be oppressed and or exploited . Or ☠️ all because they didn't get defensive and think they need to take accountability. . Really if you don't want people to get defensive then don't attack

[@TheMask-q7l]

​@@Entropic_Alloy did you see Barbie movie the speech blaming patriarchy for what feminist fought for and could it be the 🩷 are toxic

[@vezimas5268]

My grandfather survived WW2 and when my father saw this movie all he said was "it is like watching dad when I was young, he was with us but his presence is far away"

[@manriquez1991]

They were so "Manly men" that never wanted to talk the horrible shit they saw

[@lynxthewise7233]

@@manriquez1991 and now we understand that being "manly" was their only way to cope / exist. The amount of pain they held on to ( and unfortunately passed on to their families... )

[@treystephens6166]

@@lynxthewise7233the Japanese🇯🇵 were possibly the Greatest & most Brutal Enemy we ever fought! 🇺🇸

[@lynxthewise7233]

@@treystephens6166 I'm tired of all the political division and strife.

[@treystephens6166]

@@lynxthewise7233 me too, maybe in 100 years it will be good again.

[@batmanvsjoker7725]

Man, "Is your war finally over?" still gets me. This movie is such a beautiful human movie disguised as a Godzilla film.

[@maybrittwilkens6149]

so true

[@Evil.Totoro]

It’s more impactful how it is said in Japanese. If you translate it directly she said “father, is your war over yet? (as in he has accepted his role as father to Akiko and husband to her. In Japanese families, you refer to each other from the lowest position in the family).

[@user-us7lm1mb5t]

⁠@@Evil.Totoro She said “Kou san”, not “Tou san”. Hero’s name is “Kouichi Shikishima”.

[@Evil.Totoro]

@@user-us7lm1mb5t oops my bad, I swear I heard Otosan. I hear what I wanted to hear I suppose.

[@heracles67]

That's exactly what a Godzilla film has always been.

[@kingkelevra4545]

This was the first Godzilla movie where I actually cared about the humans! Such a beautiful movie.

[@trinaq]

I agree, usually, you're just waiting for Godzilla to kill them, since they're usually so insufferable. Luckily, they're a lot more tolerable now.

[@HyperGamer14]

It's not just caring about them, but for me it was also the first one since Final Wars (which was the final japanese Godzilla movie until Shin Gozilla and Minus One) that didn't make the human plot really boring. ...and tbf, Final Wars is a silly, cheesy battle shonen anime/Matrix clone with Godzilla beating asses left and right, but I love that movie. It's so fun.

[@siraaron4462]

This one and the original 1950s film But this one even more

[@Anakinskywalkerfan1]

I didn’t the only one I care about is the 2014

[@Sleepy_Dandelion]

The first one too

[@nicksmyth4050]

I really like how even Godzilla is a victim of trauma. He was burned alive and mutated into a horrific unnatural monster. Even in the opening scene, he only attacked when provoked. He’s lashing out at the people he deems hurt him. There’s a great fan speech about Godzilla: “I was the last of my kind, and you turned me into the first. That is why I punish you. Because I never thought I could be more alone”

[@evangremlich5775]

Especially with how Godzilla hurts himself with his atomic breath in this version and needs to regenerate, it's a very nice way to add depth to a big monster. He's lashing out at those who hurt him and simultaneously hurts himself.

[@d_franco4702]

The movie just gets even better each day.

[@nicksmyth4050]

@@evangremlich5775 Perfectly said

[@leviichabod]

Jeebus. That gave me goosebumps. The anger feels so palpable

[@user-ft3fj3kh8r]

Underated comment hands down.

[@benwasserman8223]

Godzilla is one big-ass metaphor for survivor's guilt/PTSD in Minus One. Which is especially bad when you're a Kamikaze pilot who clearly didn't do his job.

[@siraaron4462]

Kaiju are always at their best when they're a "big ass metaphor" anything less than that is mindless destruction for destruction sake

[@josiahshea3350]

​@@siraaron4462 destruction for destruction sake has its place though, when I'm having a bad day I would rather watch a silly showa era Godzilla instead of the first 1954 one, although that one is clearly better written.

[@Phantomsbreath]

And as usual, he's always a metaphor for the atomic bomb. In this case, the collective PTSD of a nation that got *literally* Nuked.

[@l8on675]

He wouldnt have to do his job if the government just installed ejector seats. Instructing soldiers to die senselessly and calling it honorable is horrid.

[@l8on675]

​@@Phantomsbreathi bet in reality the japanese didnt find out what hit them for some time after. Imagine just being hit by such destruction and not knowing what caused it. It had to seem like some horrendous supernatural event causing wild speculation as to the cause.

[@greghimm2753]

The guy who played Koichi is the guy who voiced Taki in ‘Your Name’. This guy gotta stop making me cry in movies he’s in.

[@mariocastillo8334]

yeah, between those two movies he has enough tears for a decent sized pool. What a Chad.

[@ArseniyShved]

do not remember him making me cry in Rurouni Kenshin movies, so... Try them?)

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

What a legend!!

[@Pablo-ek7ts]

I knew it! If you close your eyes, the voice inflection is EXACTLY like that of an anime. I believe that this choice in direction was key to making this movie more digestible to non-Japanese audiences.

[@rachelblenkin437]

​@@ArseniyShved I almost cried when he had the breakdown at the end of Kyoto Inferno...

[@joenobody5631]

"Stop checking boxes and start telling stories." Disney feels personally attacked right now. 😂

[@ithrilzyne4542]

That would imply Disney is capable of feeling

[@pheunithpsychic-watertype9881]

Well they did make shogun. Fortunately it was a limited series otherwise it would end up like assassins creed shadows if it went on longer

[@sergioruiz733]

"They beckon to me in my dreams every night." Jeez as a Veteran I never felt so seen by that line.... that entire scene encapsulates even if a bit dramatically what it is like to return home and deal with the guilt of why my brothers/sisters and not me.

[@crazypetec-130fe7]

Yeah, me too, brother.

[@johnfredericks4376]

Thank you for your service. I'm a veteran but I never experienced war. I did however work many years at the VA hospital. Watching this movie my thoughts were with the many veterans I knew from the Korean war to the Gulf war. The acting tore my heart out as I've seen many with PTSD in full crisis. They clearly did their research.

[@scipocelah6677]

Please listen to The Bones in the Ocean by The Longest Johns (not sure if it's a cover they did or not, but that's the only version I know). It's a beautiful song about survivors guilt.

[@nalublackwater9729]

Everyone who has watched or knows about Grave of the Fireflies will understand this: I love Noriko above all characters in this movie because she "got involved". She saved Akiko without being a mother, she stuck by Koichi despite all his inner demons and loved him without being his wife or his lover, and only was about leaving him when she sensed she could be a liability. We praise the heroes who pilot warplanes and fight, but it's human being like Noriko the ones who make the world worth fighting for. (Yes I actually cheered and cried in the last scene)

[@seaborgium919]

I love their romance. Like it's so good. It's exactly what every romance should be. They clearly fell in love each other, it's was just a question of if it was going to be the intimate "relationship" love or if it's sibling or if it's best friends. I love it, and I love that its in this movie and. Ugh. It's so perfect.

[@nalublackwater9729]

@@seaborgium919 RIGHT? It was based of mutual respect and companionship first and foremost and THEN, romantic love appeared. I'd say their marriage would last a lifetime.

[@osets2117]

This movie had me crying multiple times

[@OmegaRidley90001]

Indeed. Although one of the problems I have with the atomic blast city in the city scene is that she shoul dhave died. All that debris, which are multiple varying sizes of concrete and whatnot, being flung towards her. Ain't no way anyone can justify her surviving that.

[@josiahshea3350]

​@@nalublackwater9729 so much better than any romance subplot in any other movie I've seen, because that's how actual love is in real life. I wish other movies did romance like that. companionship and respect are the building blocks, not the after effects.

[@Doggles007]

This was my 2023 movie of the year no joke. Beautifully crafted and the first Godzilla movie where I actively cared about the human protagonists.

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Totally agree!

[@siraaron4462]

My movie of the decade

[@retro_gamer8587]

With a 15 million dollar budget no less. And it won best visual effects at the Oscars. 😲 My favorite Godzilla movie of all time.

[@earnestbrown6524]

@@retro_gamer8587 I agree with Nerdrotic all movie budgets going forward should be in how many Godzilla Minus One.

[@laisy961]

@@retro_gamer8587 I gonna have to check again, but I remember reading that in an interview someone asked the director about how they achieved the visual effects with only 15 million dollar budget, and he answered "I wished we had that much" Edit: because KZbin always deletes my comments if I have links in it, go search "Godzilla Minus One Director Denies $15 Million Budget Claim", apparently he said that during Tokyo Comic Con

[@shinankoku2]

“Stop checking boxes. Start telling stories.” -Johnno Hear hear!!

[@CrashJayGaming]

My wife and I discussed this movie for a couple hours after seeing it and one of the things we came away from it with was how it depicted honor and duty. At the beginning, he has a duty to die and is dishonored because he chickened out. But as the movie goes on it shifts and becomes a duty to LIVE. And to find the honor in moving forward every day despite your demons. This movie was awesome. And props to the sound design too. The super loud parts were saved for the most important. And it got ghostly quiet in my theater at some points. It was magical.

[@siraaron4462]

I love how this movie, from right out of the gate scoffs at the idea of "dying honorably" the only honorable "death" in the movie was when someone who promised to live no matter what spent what maight have been her last moments protecting someone else. No death that fails to honor the sanctity and value of life is honorable.

[@makeda6530]

@@siraaron4462Dang, that almost made me tear up.

[@cloudshines812]

@@siraaron4462I know a lot of people (including myself) when I first saw this movie felt it was dumb how Noriko just pushes Shikishima into the alleyway and essentially nearly gets herself killed when she could’ve easily just fit in the same alley with him… but honestly looking back at it… it just makes the movie even better and more tragic. The way she was willing to give herself up despite feeling the need to live to essentially someone who believed had no reason to live just makes the final third act so powerful. This personal stake and driving force of vengeance, but to fight for honor and not just vengence.

[@arshaddahlan]

As a man that's had suicidal ideation and felt like I didn't deserve to live and be on this earth, I cried in the middle of this movie whilst watching it in the cinema. It reminded me of the quote "sometimes even to live is an act of courage." I've found that choosing to live can be a hard choice at times, but I'm glad I've chosen to live and not act on my dark thoughts

[@roangie467]

And we're glad you're still here with us!

[@losperezolivares]

❤

[@thomasfplm]

I'm happy you didn't.

[@storiesfromtheabyss9808]

As someone who's had similar issues that speech Noda gives got to me a bit as well.

[@vulpes6144]

Finally a new Godzilla movie in which the humans are relatable and convincing and not just running away from being stomped!

[@benwasserman8223]

So... the first ever Godzilla movie to do that?

[@vulpes6144]

@@benwasserman8223 Nah, the original one (not the american adaptation) does that pretty well. And personally I find the characters in SHin Godzilla pretty interesting as well.

[@phoniex_a9096]

It's was an impact full movie putting real life situations I love it

[@Raaslen]

Shin Godzilla is good in this department too

[@Lowlandlord]

I think the ratio is like 1:10, maybe 1:9 or 8 where they tell real human stories like this.

[@moggetunleashed]

Something that struck me is how Tachibana gets his own kind of release at the end. He was an airplane mechanic that for the latter part of the war worked on kamikaze planes; in other words, sending men off explicitly to die. In the end, he helps someone accomplish their mission and live as well. When he tells Shikishima "Live" I feel like he's also thinking "Please don't let me send another person to their death."

[@twosheepinatrenchcoat5116]

That's beautiful! I love that!

[@SlitherWhisp]

Amazing take! I completely agree!

[@thomasfplm]

He forgives him and he helps him understand that he deserves to stay alive.

[@cloudshines812]

His reaction when he gets the news that Shikishima ejected safely honestly just sells it and hits me hard everytime I see it.

[@hobbytinkerer6736]

“There may be people who don’t want you around. There may be people who treat you like garbage. There may be people who blame you for a lot of things. And maybe there’s some truth to what they blame you for. Maybe there are areas where you stumbled, where you fell. But how they treat you, that’s a them thing. And how they value you, that’s a them thing.” I really needed to hear this. As someone who got thrown to the side by someone who I thought I was close to, it messes with me a lot. Hearing this just helps. Thanks Cinema Therapy!

[@predalien1413]

At what point does some become whole? At what point is a them thing just the reality of the situation. Gotta love psych one min they coding and strapped and the next it’s all forgotten.

[@aaronlopez5163]

We can’t exactly learn if mistakes don’t exist and we can’t be fiercely determined to be a better person if we don’t have at least one “enemy”. And we can’t learn what kind of chocolate is the best kind if only dark chocolate exists… unfortunately.

[@nathanieldavis1671]

As a non-deployed Marines Veteran that has ptsd, survivors guilt, and imposter syndrome. I relate to this character. Not going to lie, i cried in the theater with some of the PTSD triggers. This is the best movie of 2023. And probably of the decade.

[@crazypetec-130fe7]

You're not alone, brother. No judgment from this vet.

[@nathanieldavis1671]

Yes sir

[@dausas]

As an Army Vet who did deploy, you have nothing to be ashamed about. You put on that uniform knowing there was always a chance of getting in harms way. That takes guts.

[@SlitherWhisp]

The other reason Shikishima did not kill himself is his parents told him to come back to them, to come back alive. That's why coming home to find them dead had a greater impact. He acted "dishonorably", in his opinion, and does not even get to come home to his parents.

[@tomlewis4205]

So many seem to miss that point. It's another turn of the screw to that character's psyche.

[@thomasfplm]

Yes, he took living as a mission given by his mother, not something he needed for himself.

[@cloudshines812]

Very few movies really showcase how our main heroes can have a life that just fucking sucks

[@stephenbradford8524]

I saw this movie in the theater with my brother and dad. All three of us, grown men, cried our eyes out. Such a wonderful surprise, to see a movie so life-affirming.

[@withanianight8121]

No matter you sex or gender, you can cry, no shame man. It's a human thing to have emotions and to express them.

[@BleydTorvall]

I liked how the people were sent home to see their families before the final battle, but not to say goodbye, but so they could be reminded of what they had to live for.

[@ogreface8]

LET’S GO!! Never thought a movie about a radioactive dinosaur would make me cry, but here we are 😂😭

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Same! 😭

[@dlvnmedia]

The Matthew Broderick version made me cry but for all the wrong reasons

[@oldbirbman]

Watch the original godzilla

[@ogreface8]

@@oldbirbman I’ve seen pretty much every Godzilla movie, bar maybe 4

[@mrfafaa96]

At the start of the movie he was too afraid to die, at the end of the movie he had the courage to live.

[@kh884488]

Both while flying an airplane. This film has some great symmetry.

[@vanessaa.6087]

Ypu put that soo good 👏

[@yujihorie4928]

飛行機の着陸のシーンと離陸のシーンは両方とも飛行機の底を映しているが、上に乗っているシキシマの気持ちは全く違っている。

[@brainiac.computer]

The fact this movie wasn’t nominated for Best International Film (only Best Visual Effects) is criminal! This film had everything: great set pieces, a storyline where you actually care about the characters, and (yes, admittedly) stellar visual effects. I could on and on about this film, but it was hands down one of the best Godzilla movies ever produced. I cannot wait for the sequel!

[@mogaman28]

It was totally snubbed, yes.

[@thomasfplm]

I only disagree about waiting for a sequel. The stories of the characters is closed. Godzilla isn't dead because Toho don't like him dieing, but I don't think you can add something after that would enrich the story more.

[@cloudshines812]

@@thomasfplmWell the movie did tease at Noriko becoming Biollonte because of her infection with G-Cells and if you pay attention to the framing of the scene, you’ll notice how a plant horn is symbolically appearing out her head

[@thomasfplm]

@@cloudshines812, I'm kinda hoping this is an open ending and not a continuation, because I think it would be hard to continue the story widout damaging it.

[@BatAmerica]

I love how they showed Godzilla as a force of nature from the civilian perspective. It really sells the main character's fear during their city confrontation.

[@Blackferret66]

I loved that, when they found out that Koichi and Noriko weren't married and not related to Akiko, their reaction wasn't "Oh, god. Scandal!", but that it was good that he was able to build a family amongst the ruins and tragedy of the war. He is rebuilding as much as someone repairing the city.

[@RWBYfangirl9320]

This movie was sooooo great. As a massive Godzilla fan, this is the closet that we got form the original Godzilla movie (1954).

[@siraaron4462]

Yeah, a modernization of the 1950 version in every respectable way. Love how they subverted the ending though

[@tkmia]

I agree, the attack on the city, especially the black rain moment, will be one of those movie scenes I'll never forget. Easily one of the best depictions of the devastation war brings.

[@misterbennnn]

The movie was written during the pandemic, which shows through in two ways: 1) Godzilla is a disaster that, like it or not, affects everyone equally. It is a collective problem that the people in Japan need to handle themselves, because 2) The Japanese government was very slow to respond to the crisis, preferring instead to keep the peace rather than tackle the situation head-on. The regular citizens realized it was up to them to come up with a solution and pull themselves out of their mess. This was in an interview with the filmmakers from The Verge, if anyone is interested.

[@economiccrisis9267]

I think you're getting this film confused with Shin Godzilla

[@dalekrenegade2596]

Like the other guy said, isn't this more in line with Shin Godzilla? That movie was made in response to the Government's oopsie response to the Fukushima Disaster.

[@jg3000]

It's usually better when they're isn't a government response.

[@economiccrisis9267]

@@jg3000 Godzilla can't be allowed to destroy people's lives.

[@jg3000]

@@economiccrisis9267 Right and the citizens solved the problem better than the government ever could.

[@reginamia8386]

I actually didn’t watch any Godzilla movies before this. I watched this because I loved two of the Japanese actors, Ryunosuke and Yuki. And this is an amazing movie and I’m so happy that the two are involved in this beautiful movie

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

The whole cast did an incredible job!

[@WiFiDown37811]

Something I've always loved about Godzilla is that he can be used to tell any story you want him to. Be it the dangers of nuclear warfare, a titan protecting nature and keeping its balance, an allegory for the triple disaster in Japan, and in this case, how a kamikaze pilot learned to forgive himself and find purpose in his life. This Godzilla movie felt more human than all the other Godzilla movies combined and I adore it

[@connordavis5847]

This movie genuinely had me so moved, last thing I expected after growing so used to american godzilla movies basically being "mmm big monster fight". Was such a pleasant suprise in theaters and i loved every second.

[@marivitelli]

I went in expecting “blow this sh** up, kill everyone” with low budget special effects and I was in for a surprise! I cried my heart out watching it! 😅

[@steampunkfox4932]

Godzilla movies started off as an allegory since original Godzilla was an allegory for nuclear bombs and the destruction they can cause

[@siraaron4462]

The only good monster movies keep the allegory in the forefront imo

[@dietotaku]

anybody who doesn't register that a bunch of movies made in japan about a gigantic nuclear monster that levels cities and slaughters innocent civilians are an allegory for hiroshima and nagasaki needs to repeat 8th grade history class.

[@steampunkfox4932]

@@siraaron4462 yup

[@hirokatou6209]

@dietotaku 広島と長崎だけではなく、1954年3月の第五福竜丸事件の事も忘れないでください。アメリカが、ビキニ環礁で行った水爆実験（キャッスル作戦）による死の灰で第五福竜丸他、多数の日本の漁船が被曝しました。この事件に衝撃を受けて作成されたのが初代「ゴジラ」です。ですから、初代ゴジラ以降の共通のヒストリーとして、ゴジラはビキニ環礁での水爆実験によって生まれた（生き残っていた恐竜が突然変異した）と言われているのです。

[@Beardo2517]

​@@siraaron4462 GMK was pretty good at it

[@jwr6796]

Can you imagine this being your first Godzilla movie and you're so blown away, and then you start going through the back catalog? What a rollercoaster.

[@Rafael-2105]

There are so many moments in the third act that are just pure cathartic release for so many characters and I think the biggest one is when they're detailing the plan and they make a statement to run this operation without planned casualties and everyone intending to make it back home. Their country wanted them to die and they chose to reclaim their right to live. And it's so satisfying to see them succeed without losing anyone.

[@thingusbingus8181]

When the destroyers charge forward to enact their plan, and the classic Gojira theme starts playing. I had the biggest smile on my face, it felt like the whole theater was there as part of the team.

[@scipocelah6677]

I also loved the almost angelic choir that would play during the godzilla destruction scenes. Really kind of sold this feeling of "it's a god"

[@kamenriderkfp6684]

Historically in the Godzilla franchise that decision actually carries a lot of weight. In the original 1954 film the theme was for the Japanese air force that arrived to drive Godzilla away. People just associated the theme more with the monster so it became a core part of Godzilla's theme over the years. In Gojira the defense forces were powerless to stop Godzilla but now in Minus One they take that theme back from representing the monster and use it to once again cheer on the defenders of Japan.

[@shinankoku2]

So I’m surprised that Allen didn’t talk about the cinematography during the scene where Koiichi tells his backstory. How the camera starts behind him and slowly circles around as he opens up.

[@Max_Casual]

Sure there are 38 Godzilla movies but I honestly think there are two. 1. Godzilla is here to fight other Kaiju in what is basically pro wrestling. This Godzilla movie rules. 2. Godzilla is a metaphor that has the ability to touch something deep inside you. It can reach you in a way that reminds you that the human experience has some universal touchstones that cross all cultural lines. This Godzilla movie also rules.

[@alarydavidnin]

"Stop checking boxes and start telling stories" as Cap america meme said "i got that reference!" now really, well said as a latin america/african desendent just stop checking boxes and start doing good quality stuff!

[@egekazkayas8587]

Holy moley , as someone who’s watched the show since the pandemic days I wasn’t expecting an episode on a godzilla movie. Makes perfect sense though, exploration of the characters’psychology is a big part of this film.

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

We weren't expecting it either, but the movie has real substance!

[@jillianericson-pelton8106]

When my husband and I saw this in the theaters I was unprepared and I was shook. I cried so much and I was chilled to the bone by the horrible accuracy of the nuclear destruction of Godzilla’s breath right down to the black rain. It was such a sobering look at Post WWII Japan, and a very sobering look into what I know personally to be the truth for everyone living with ptsd. This movie should have had so many more Oscars.

[@maryhales4595]

Husband and I saw this one in theaters twice - once in color and once in B&W. One of the best movies I've seen in a long time.

[@siraaron4462]

I wish I had a chance to see this film in theaters but life happened both times it released

[@m4rc3l0fl0r3s]

Important for guys who wanna watch it on Netflix with subtitles: The [CC] option are the "dubtitles" while the more faithful translation is found in the normal English subs. Hope this helps! The changes are little, but the change in nuance can be felt.

[@Langodan]

Yeah, I've noticed this when watching with my family, who prefer dub. I'd watched the movie so many times that I had kinda memorised some of the key lines from the subs. The dub isn't bad and plenty for those who can't keep up with the subs, but they changed several of the either funny or important lines into something a little... lacking. Most notably, the very last line that Noriko says to him. In the original, her line perfectly mirrors what he says earlier in the movie. "My war isn't over/Is your war finally over?" In the dub (and by extension, dubtitles) she asks him "Can this war of yours finally be done?" I understand it was done to fit the line into the time taken to speak the japanese line which was much longer, but it removes that connection to him a little and it bothered me a bit.

[@m4rc3l0fl0r3s]

@@Langodan That's the most noticeable change. I found out about this subtitles change via a tweet talking exactly about what you just mentioned.

[@tactile2878]

This is actually an episode I've been waiting for for the longest time. Metaphors are how I kind of navigate my emotions and experiences, and my therapist is a huge nerd, so I've often taken to speaking with him about Minus One, making comparison between the movie and how one experiences guilt, grief, and shame. I've spoken at length with my therapist about various symbology within the movie as well, like how Godzilla can be considered a physical manifestation of the main character's shame. So happy to finally see you guys cover this.

[@santino7470]

The scene when Tachibana told him to keep living hit me like a ton of bricks in the theater.

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Yep 😭

[@maximorumba]

To me this movie is about forgiveness; forgiveness to others and forgiveness to yourself. While I agree with your view on the theme of the movie being no matter your past, today you can stand up and be different, I would say or rather supplement the theme is you should forgive rather than hold onto hatred and anger. Both themes support each other, so I think both are valid and also strong. Themes should be something that could be argued; where both sides can be believed. I love this movie because not only did Shikishima make that journey from anti-theme to theme which any protagonist in any story should do, but so many of the side characters in this story made that thematic journey too.

[@Fighterpilot555]

This is the first ever Godzilla movie that made me weep like a baby

[@Uldihaa]

One of the things I really liked in this movie is how so many characters were dealing with trauma in their own ways, and their horror when they see someone else trying but falling to their own trauma, like the mechanic that gave Koichi those photos. He was hurting and lashing out, but over time came dealt with the trauma of surviving the war and Godzilla's attack just before the end of the war. His horror when he realizes what he's done to Koichi was powerful.

[@Curreeuss]

I watched this film only about a week ago for the first time, this upload came at the perfect time for me! One of the things that hit me so hard was the fact that they tell you that kamikaze planes didn't have parachute seats installed, because the pilots were expected to do the noble thing and die for their country. Their lives were expendable and devalued and they were EXPECTED to give up literally everything with no way out if they did get cold feet. This is then contrasted with the fact that the team that took down Godzilla were all volunteers who were given an out - they were told "if you don't want to to this, you can leave. We can't guarantee you'll live and we don't want to put that on you." And then at the end? Not a single person died in that battle, including Koichi. You feel the weight of Koichi's death right before the parachute reveal, and you feel how tragic it is to lose even one person - but then they reveal that he made it. Even Noriko makes it in the end. Just this once, everyone lives.

[@davidwampler7801]

When I told a friend why this movie was so great, I started laying out the plot, and after getting into in a little bit I said "And you'll notice I haven't even mentioned Godzilla yet!" Godzilla was a boon to this movie as a force to help drive the character-driven plot, not as a cheap source of thrills. I love that this and Oppenheimer seem like to sides of a coin: one is about the effect of nuclear Armageddon from a historical perspective, the other from a fictional perspective. They were the best films of 2023!

[@tristanmilner9511]

Funny enough, you could take Godzilla out of Minus One and still have a great period piece film.

[@laurenfrey873]

This is not the first time a Cinema Therapy video inspired me to watch a movie I haven’t yet seen, and it won’t be the last.

[@YoutubrYoutubr-ip1md]

Lost in translation: Tachibana speaks in a dialect that is typical for the tough guy or gangster (Brooklyn, Boston type) He’s definitely speaking from the heart when he’s screaming in the bar. He is lashing out because he’s probably seen how this plays out before

[@Dragonheart2549]

I loved that the characters and relationships in this movie felt so real. So many movies rely on the rough and tough, perfect action heroes. The vulnerability of the main characters in this movie made them human and relatable.

[@yujihorie4928]

fun fact:山崎監督は明子役の女の子を絶賛しており、オーディションの前までは男の子の設定だったが彼女を見て女の子の設定にしてしまった。 山崎監督の一番のお気に入りのシーンは、最後の夜にシキシマにイラストを渡した時彼女が笑顔になった場面だ。監督は彼女を天才だと述べている。

[@samiuseliina]

I remember watching the original Godzilla movies as a kid. Very fun to watch human's get destroyed. Godzilla minus one and Shin Godzilla turned it into human's wanting to live and fighting back. Minus one has an absent government and Shin has the typical modern Japanese government. I'm glad they have not let Godzilla just vanish into the archives.

[@donnie_duckling]

This movie moved me deeply! I currently struggle from imposter's syndrome, depression and trying to get out from an abusive home. I also have autism, which makes dealing with the anxiety, pressure and my feelings much more difficult. I am a massive Gojira fan, so this movie hit me in such a different way. It doesn't ignore the pain that one feels when one's stuck in a horrible situation. It also doesn't justify the self-destructive ideas that can come when facing trauma and taking too much responsibility from things out of our control. I really cried with both the themes of found family and finding the strength and will to live, even when everything seems to be falling down. I want to thank you for covering this movie. I adored it, am thankful for being able to revisit it with you both, and can't wait for knowing the depth and meaning you will find with it as well.

[@whisper4379]

I have CPTSD. So it’s from many, many years of repeated trauma. I’m 39 and am still having incidents that pile on onto it to this very day, just before watching your video. I’ve tried therapy and other things sources online say to do. But it doesn’t work. I think my best shot is for the trauma thing to stop. I keep changing people and finding new people and going to new places, but the same thing keeps happening. Only answer I have for why is potentially that I’m autistic (which I just found out last year). I ask everyone “why?” They either don’t answer at all or try to tell me it isn’t me, yet they keep doing it. Godzilla Minus One did such an incredible job or portraying someone with PTSD. It’s accurate, even down to showing that those with PTSD do go on with their lives and try to live normally even as they struggle. I’ve seen portrayals that show PTSD suffering folks just sitting in one room at home, staring at the tv and not doing anything. But this movie, they nailed it. People need to know and see that there’s a lot of people around them with PTSD and you wouldn’t know it because they look normal on the outside. The writing is excellent. The actors did a phenomenal job. The effects crew (even did well where the movie doesn’t feel or look like it’s over dripping with cgi like what Disney and Marvel do). The camera crew for doing the angles and movements just right. I mean, just everyone did great. This movie deserves all the rewards and praises. If human drama has to be a part of Godzilla, this is the way to do it. And Godzilla carries a deep meaning with him like he was originally meant to. They knocked it out of the park with this. PTSD is hell to live with. According to my counselor, PTSD folks have something like an 70-80% chance of recovery (I can’t recall the exact number). Which means, yes, there is a good chance if you have PTSD, you can recover and at least get close to normal. And there is a decent portion who can’t recover and are forever stuck there. I’m glad that Koichi is positioned where he could recover. I’m also extremely appreciative of Noriko sticking by him and trying to help him. This is rare. Very rare. She’s very strong and an excellent human being. Between Koichi and Akiko, I don’t see very many people who have as much love for others as her.

[@catherinesinclair7727]

Totally relate to your feeling that nothing helps or works.. EMDR helped me more than anything else.

[@evangremlich5775]

Yes! This movie hit me so hard, especially, "Is your war finally over?". I really related Koichi's PTSD to my anxiety disorder.

[@blendedtime8162]

Been waiting for this for a while, so glad you guys are covering it. This movie made me feel ALL the emotions in the theater.

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Yeah, what an intense movie theater experience!

[@emperorchopchop7726]

I loved how consious the movie was about it's message in the end. I never had any doubt that Shikishima would eject, but the movie primes the viewer to think that he's being tricked by the mechanic...that the 'arm the bomb' lever would somehow actually eject him at the last minute; which would lead to his survival, but wouldn't complete his character arc at all. The twist isn't that he survives, it's that he consiously chooses to, and that is so much more important given the broader themes of the movie.

[@minophis]

I think there is also a huge relief for Tachinbana who spent the war fixing planes for Kamikaze pilots knowing he was aiding in the process that would send them to therir deaths to be able to finally help a pilot survive and come home.

[@andrewtitus6839]

One thing I missed the first time around but noticed the second time was how when he fails to shoot Godzilla on the island, Godzilla is smaller, and because he didn't take care of him then and there he gets grows and becomes a much bigger problem to deal with. Problems are like that sometimes, if we ignore them when they are small, they will just grow to be a big problem that will be much harder to deal with.

[@thelastdictator482]

The man whose "duty" was to die was there to save everyone in the end because he chose to live. You should also see how our beloved engineer's speech about how Japan treated it's people as disposable for too long and it was now everyone's duty to live played into Koichi's battle against his guilt and feelings of failure.

[@spicymemes7458]

I saw this in IMAX, and it was a whole other experience. The scale, sound, and size of Godzilla, especially the opening scene, was so terrifying. My brain actually thought the monster was going to step on me. MASSIVE adrenaline rush like the best Universal Studios ride ever. It's now my favorite not just because of the IMAX screening, but I actually cared about the human characters when they are usually footnotes in the story. It was an incredible time at the movies. Watch as a double feature with Oppenheimer for one hell of a ride.

[@discount_doom_slayer117]

Noriko surviving was probably my favorite ass-pull of any movie

[@jean-bastienjoly5962]

Wait, they let her character survive ?!

[@discount_doom_slayer117]

@jean-bastienjoly5962 Yeah, the neighbor auntie receives a telegram from her, and she takes it to Koichi when he gets back ashore from the battle and he rushes himself and Akiko to the hospital in Tokyo. She's got the arm cast, the eye bandage, the whole nine yards.

[@jalenethompson5416]

I can generally predict most twists in movies anymore but yes!! Noriko surviving and giving a lead into a possible sequel was the first twist of "Ah they lived!!" and truly got me good

[@jean-bastienjoly5962]

@@discount_doom_slayer117 YEEESSSSSS!

[@scipocelah6677]

She's likely infected by Godzilla's regenerating DNA implied by the "radioactive materials" found at the scene and the black bruise looking thing growing up her neck.

[@Queue376]

Fun fact! : The actor for Shikisima is the Voice of Taki in "Your Name" (male lead)!!!

[@bhargavipba]

I know people keep saying that this is the only film where they cared about humans. Which just means they haven't watched previous Godzilla films. 1954 Godzilla made see me cry for the humans because it was made during a time when Japan was still actively struggling with the effects of WW2 and the nuclear bombs. Shin Godzilla made me sympathize with the humans. There's also a 2001 Godzilla film GMK, where Godzilla is possessed by the souls of dead soldiers. Its such a good critique of the Japan's govt of the time. People most often downplay how significant Godzilla is for the Japanese people and for all the fans in general. Minus One brought back the feelings i had while watching the 1954 film.

[@Vi_Vi_1]

I went into this movie with zero idea what to expect--my friends wanted to see it and I was like "yeah sure why not" I was absolutely blown away, did not expect at all to FEEL so much. I was fully expecting a big loud action monster movie, not a beautiful examination of love, loss, the devastation of war, the trauma that comes after, and the fight to rebuild. It was so refreshing to see Godzilla return to his roots as a powerful metaphor for true, real horrors.

[@garyw3070]

At the end, whenever Tachibana says "Live", it gets me every time.

[@cbpd89]

Saw this movie for the first time a couple weeks ago. It's the first time I've ever cried in a monster movie. What a great film!

[@hannahschrenk7981]

Visually, my favorite scene is when Godzilla gets yanked back up out of the water. He just looks so mean and scary. I also love how they did the atomic breath, upgrading it from a glorified flamethrower to a true explosive force. All the big smashy monster stuff in this movie was incredible. And then to back it all up with such a great story and such great characters to really drive home what Godzilla is meant to represent and how people can recover from trauma. Just so good every way you look at it.

[@DEADLOCK6666]

This is legitimately one of my favorite movies of all time. Also a very sad, poignant movie about survivors guilt. Absolutely love it. If I had to recommend a movie like it, about survivors guilt, go watch John Carter, it was put out by Disney and is so good.

[@eelchiong6709]

John Carter? Mars John Carter? By Edgar Rice Burroughs? Is there any PTSD there?

[@GrainneMhaol]

In the best monster movies, the monster is a metaphor. In this movie, the metaphor is several levels deep. The monster represents the devastation of WW2, the atomic genie that will never be back in the bottle, the spectre of samurai/kamikaze survivor's guilt and the reckoning of a government that never cared for its people. That's why killing the monster is so rousing and heartfelt - it's a found family that joins together to do the right thing because they want to.

[@Rutanachan]

22:00 Certainly not a cheat ^^ I'm from Germany, and when we watched the movie, we grinned at the whole drama of him potentially sacrificing himself, because when we saw the plane, we could read the thick fat lettering on the seat that said "Schleudersitz" - ejection seat ;D And my boyfriend even had to laugh when I reminded him "They never said it out loud. Everyone else outside of German-Speaking folks think he's dead at this point." XD

[@Halinspark]

I saw the German on the seat, and I knew what it signified even thought I can't read it. But I was honestly unsure if I could trust the director not to twist the knife again and just make it a tragic movie.

[@williamgardner2990]

Kamiki (Koichi) is such a great actor. I loved him in the live action Rurouni Kenshin movies.

[@Olivia_Dreamrider]

"stop checking boxes and start telling stories" Is such a good way of explaining what's wrong with a lot of media these days. I would rather watch a low budget, crappy effects movie with good characters and plot then the grand majority of what's on screen these days.

[@jalenethompson5416]

My husband and I are huge Godzilla fans, my husband especially, and Minus One is top tier in my list. The human story and relatability of the characters was so beautiful and yes, so unexpected in a big stompy stompy monster flick. As someone who gets kind of bored with how predictable most movies have become, the ending of Minus One with the twist?! Got me good, and the nice tease for a possible sequel that's been confirmed by the director. My favorite thing is that in a time period portrayed that was filled with death and destruction, symbolized by our G-Man, the film's main message is "Live". Also Dr. Noda's plan was a critic on how cheaply war supplies was made( like no ejection seats for kamikaze pilots) and how no shortcuts should be taken in the plan against Godzilla, that human life matters, it is not expendable. By far one of my all time favorite movies to-date now.

[@omniunown]

I'm so glad that scene with Tachibana explaining the eject lever was in there, as well as the actual moment of forgiveness. I remember seeing Tachibana working on the eject lever and knowing what it was for. I thought it was going to be his last minute plan to completely destroy Shikishima by robbing him of the death that he chose. In a US script, I have no doubt that T. would have tricked S. into pulling the lever and ejecting and tried to play that off as demonstrating forgiveness.

[@Ania-qe4lk]

As someone who's living in a country, that is in w_r, it's certainly hard to watch this movie since you literally understand the main protagonist and his struggles like guilt for surviving Each day you question yourself whether you can live through it or not, you literally have so much stuff to live through without any breaks This feeling is crushing you all the time Thank you for this important video, Cinema Therapy 🙏🏻

[@kgjung2310]

Saburo Sakai was a WWII Japanese fighter pilot and ace. He was the highest scoring Japanese ace to survive the war. In his autobiography, he recalled his feelings when he heard about High Command's decision to commence the kamikaze attacks. The first thing out of his mouth was basically, "That's stupid. What's that going to accomplish other than get men killed for nothing?" By that time, it was already very clear that Japan had no hope to win any war against the US and its material might. Despite the propaganda that the kamikaze corps was all volunteer, there were those who refused the "honor" because of the uselessness of the tactic. Those who refused were shamed and socially ostracized to accept.

[@narx4cancer]

One part i liked was the fist scene with tachibana showing the bomb rig on the plane, beeing a huge plane nerd i instantly picked up what was going to happen when the seat had german lettering

[@zero8034_]

hearing the cries of the little girl even though shes only crying for her mother figure not being there for a while hit significantly harder now that im a father. i know the trope of becoming a parent and seeing things in a new light trope aw geeze who coulda seen this coming. but before our daughter was born we would have heard her cries and felt annoyed at her for the ear grating sound of her crying just because she thinks shes not going to get to see her for a while but now i hear her cries and know that the pain of not seeing her for the next while and the feeling of not seeing her anymore at all are both the same to her. a few weeks truely feels like an eternity and to not see someone that important to you and that involved in your life all of a sudden with little to no explanation from them feels like a stab in the back like they are abandoning you conciously and you really wont ever see them again. she lacks the scale of time to really weigh two weeks verses forever to her they are both the same just as how a billon and a trillion feel like the same to your average joe a few weeks and a lifetime feel the same. and so the pain shes feeling feels similar if not the same for what shes going through and i feel for her those cries hurt because i know she hurts and i cant imagine my daughter hurting like that. its amazing to experience the shift in perspective that certian events in life bring on that give you new avenues to feel and experience things. The world isn't new; I'm just seeing it from a new angle.

[@preludeboy99]

What hit me the most was when koichi was opening up to Noriko about what happened in Odo island. I never seen a scene accurately depict a man who has so much shame, so much guilt, so much weight that he to carry, to the point where when he finally tells Noriko, it feels like a weight that has been lifted for not only the character but for the audience. I’m so used to American movies where a character tells someone what happened and they don’t believe them because of how ridiculous it is. But for Noriko, she instead listens. That’s what makes the relationship between Noriko and Koichi so beautiful, she is willing to listen and help koichi no matter what. When she says that koichi was meant to live, the look koichi gave her was heartbreaking. It was like he wanted to believe her but deep down his guilt can’t let himself be happy. And that’s when I knew this was the best movie of 2023. The acting was superb.

[@UnsungThermidor]

This movie was absolutely amazing, Godzilla was an absolute force of nature. The music was amazing, and the acting, characters and story were perfection. I really enjoyed how the characters aren't dumb either. I loved how immediately Kochi was called out when he requested a fighter plane. It showed the characters actually have some awareness and paid attention to him. When a lot of other movies would just gloss over it. His breakdown was absolutely tear jerking and heart wretching

[@choubatsu5860]

i dont cry a lot for movies. this made me cry in theaters. i loved it.

[@alessandrofedericogobber5634]

I saw it in teathers, by myself with another dozen or so people. When Koishi screamed and Akiko started crying after the Ginza attack, it wrecked me. The pure, raw, guttural emotion portrayed by these actors is fenomenal... This is the first Godzilla movie I ever saw (and I saw all of them, except the anime trilogy, some multiple times) that made both Godzilla scary and made me cry with an actor's performance. The ENTIRE movie was an experience

[@NuthouseKid88]

I've been a Godzilla fan since I was in diapers. I enjoy the Legendary pictures, but this movie had me in pieces. And the two moments that in any other movie would have taken so the gravitas away - Koichi ejecting from the plane, and Noriko surviving in the hospital - were the moments that made me weep. The fact that he finally learned to forgive himself, and the fact that after it had taken everything from him, the world finally gave something back.

[@brycevo]

This is as powerful, if not more powerful, than the original Gojira. This movie is beyond perfect, I'm glad I watched it in theaters

[@AlunKahul]

Honestly this kind of subject matter makes perfect sense for a Godzilla movie to cover. See when Japanese Toho Studios made Godzilla it was one of the first movies made after the US ended its occupation of Japan after WW2. To say Japan was conflicted about the US was an understatement. On one hand the US ended Japans involvement with 1940’s Germany which they look at with great humiliation and shame. The US occupation after also brought over of many US inventions and ideas that were never heard of in Japan before. But also the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki caused much grief and devastation still felt by Japan today. Godzilla was the physical embodiment of those feelings being a giant beast who was both savior and destroyer. A symbolism Godzilla still keeps today and just fascinates me

[@huntery3568]

As an avionics nerd friend told me, they foreshadowed the parachute brilliantly: those few who would know what they were seeing recognized that the seat Tachibana installed was a German one, one which had an ejection seat, because Japan had never built one.

[@SlitherWhisp]

For the first time watching a Godzilla movie, I felt guilty for geeking out over him destroying things. And I was not eager for the human story to end so we could see more Godzilla. The one odd thing about Shikishima's guilt is that his failure to shoot Godzilla on Odo Island stays centred on the mechanics. If he truly feels his inaction cost them their lives, then he should feel guilt for all the other death and destruction afterwards, shouldn't he? Still, this is my only quibble as the movie was sooooo amazing. I also hope that if they make a sequel, Shikishima, Noriko, and AKiko are left out of it. Their arc was too good, too complete, to be undone by them being thrust into more peril and loss in a sequel. Shikishima completed his story arc. Let him and his family move on.

[@misterbennnn]

This movie was full of surprises: the fact that it was exceptionally well done, the movie making us care about the humans, the movie making such a strong antiwar message (back in those days, Dr. Noda would have been shunned or arrested for his philosophy), and now how quickly CT is covering it. My wife and I both loved it, and she normally isn't a Godzilla fan. Fun insight from the missus, a native Japanese woman: Shikishima and Dr. Noda got famous together on a TV show they did back when Shikishima was a small child (their actors, obviously, not the characters; I don't know their names).

[@goddessbraxia]

I went in expecting giant smashy fun, I came out speechless, Hands down, the best Godzilla film ever. The best modern design for Godzilla that balances the power of the Legendary version, while still clearly being the "classic" Godzilla.

[@SovereignJarodKwan]

this film is by far the best Godzilla film of modern times. it follows the spirit of the 54 & 84 films. back to basics making the film full of terror but also the best human characters in the series. you care about them and they made this film so much more real than previous films. I hope we get a sequel in the same quality. now watch it in black & white. lol

[@SamuelHolt1980]

The authenticity of this film and it emotions really blew me away. "...my war isn't over" was probably the only thing he could have said to stop his crewmate from beating the snot out of him, but he understood, even in his drunken and unreasonable state. Amazing stuff.

[@kaylalian19]

"Stop checking boxes and start telling stories." I love that, and agree with it so much! Also, I loved this movie. Definitely one of my favorite from last year

[@sharlayanarchon]

When I was very young, my mom and dad introduced me to one of the earliest Godzilla movies. My dad, American-born from an American-born family, called it "Godzilla". My mom, born and raised in the Philippines, pronounced it "Gojira". I asked my mom why she pronounced it differently, and she replied that it was how Japanese people - who created the character - pronounced it. I must have made a confused face, because she went on to say, "Is that so strange? How would you react if people elsewhere in the world pronounced Superman's name differently?" That shocked me, at the tender age of eleven years old. Since that day, I have always called "Godzilla" "Gojira", and I have always striven to pronounce the names of people I meet correctly - /especially/ if they come from different cultures than I did.

[@MrTaggeN99]

This was my favourite movie of 2023. Saw it alone in the cinema, had no expectation going in. Bawled my eyes out several times and did the heck yeah at the final monster scene. Also loved that they let Noriko survive 😊

[@pepsdeps]

I also liked to interpret one of the visual elements of the movie as having a deeper meaning: the design of the plane. Compared to regular planes, it is backwards, with the rotor and wings towards the back from the direction of the plane. I interpreted it to be Shikishima's looking backwards literally and metaphorically, "going back" to fix his own mistake, so he had to face his past facing backwards, much like the plane is. I also liked the idea that the plane is backward, because it is designed to do the opposite of what the kamikaze pilot would do. Instead of dying for glory, the pilot had to live for glory, so the plane is turned around from what it is expected to be.