Jack Stauber’s OPAL | adult swim smalls

A curious girl investigates the cries she hears coming from a forbidden house across the street.
created by Jack Stauber
@jackstauber on IG
Look for the OPAL soundtrack release Friday 10/6 on Water Tower
lnk.to/ASopalAS
#JackStaubersOpal #AdultSwimSmalls
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[@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

[@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

[@CerealArtist124]

I just realized opals fake parents telling her to not look at the house is probably her telling herself to try and ignore all the abuse she faces 😢

[@Ann1e-Ex1sts]

Oh my god that’s sad.

[@RustysInferno]

DUH how did you not realize before

[@lilparsley]

Oh mg because the other house has a better family

[@user-du5fe4fp8y]

If you want to point something out, say something not many noticed like “your troubles are miles away” which the parents said, this was finding out at the fact that it said the exit for the fast food restaurant was 9~ miles away

[@yangaranger]

😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@oldben8261]

Claire - Clear Opal - Opaque She just wants to feel seen. :(

[@alchemicalalek7535]

Thats so SADDD

[@CliffHorrell]

OH MY GOD IT GOES DEEPER

[@half.lazy0370]

I didn’t notice this on the first couple of watches, but at the beginning Opals eyes have the billboard lights reflected in them.

[@marlonsantos1774]

She just wants to fell seen, but her grandfather is blind :(

[@half.lazy0370]

@@marlonsantos1774 they all are in a way: the grandfather being physically blind, the father unable to look at his daughter without a voice telling him to look back at the mirrors, and the mother blind from the reality that she is the root of her problems

[@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.

[@dungeondaddy5323]

My boyfriend 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

[@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

[@BumBum_69]

It's horrifying how only a billboard with an advertisement about burgers is the only thing keeping Opal from the harsh reality.

[@candyce6233]

And how horrible it would be if the billboard ever changed.

[@sudokuacrobatics]

Imagine being in such a terrible situation in that you somehow manage to make a family of sorts out of a goddamn soulless advertisement? Not me. Poor Claire.

[@SickBoyOC]

But what is the harsh reality? If I'm being honest, I don't get it

[@BumBum_69]

@@SickBoyOC what I meant by the harsh reality is her being constantly abused all the time in a desolate house by her "real family" ,however her "imaginary family" from the billboard advertisement is the only thing keeping her from realizing that she is constantly abused.

[@SickBoyOC]

@@BumBum_69 maybe this short is over my head because I never got that sense of abuse that everyone is talking about

[@sudokuacrobatics]

Fun Fact: The reason why 11:30 sounds better than 1:00 is because the vocals for the father, mother, and grandpa have changed to Claire's real family, which is drastically different than the generic vocals from the start

[@Mcperson823]

I noticed this just now and then saw your comment

[@Ieatchildren1881]

i just noticed

[@gachastauffer9069]

Oh wow your right

[@Doctor_nowhere]

That’s so sad to hear even mirror man and the blind guy is mad becuase the blind man wants opal to leave his house and opal scared mirror man and broke one of his mirrors

[@lamtungbenny6214]

Oh wow, I thought that the voices and lengthened and reverbed

[@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

[@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.

[@kibbles3242]

You mean opal?

[@sadsal2942]

@@kibbles3242 Opal is her name that she uses when she imagines herself with her “real” family. Claire is her actual name in reality.

[@justinisorange]

@@kibbles3242 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]

@@kibbles3242 no, opal is the girl on the billboard

[@thehelheimwitch]

Jack Stauber’s depiction of Claire’s mother is horrifyingly accurate to my father who abused phent and xanax. He would be so far gone that his eyes would roll around his head when he would speak to me. He’d talk to me like everything was fine and he was happy and he cared about me and needed me. And then shortly after that he would completely switch and do whatever he could to terrify me and blame me for everything. I love this short film not because it’s morbid, but because it helps remind me that the weight of my family was never my fault, and that I was just like Claire. Just a child who needed care and instead was forced to care.

[@ZoneTheory73]

❤

[@Kitkat-iw7ux]

@thehelheimwitch I'm so sorry that happened to you and I'm glad you're still here and stronger than you once were. I hope you're doing better in life and I'll be praying for you in hopes life gets better and you receive the love you need.

[@plumsandspoons]

"There she is!" "That's my girl!" "H I O P A L!"

[@Karma_Akabane01]

the fake grandpa always cracks me up 😭✋

[@gokittygo671]

LIKE FR EVERYONE SAYS SOMETHING AND GRANPA IS ONLY “ Hii Opal”

[@APPLSAUX]

HI OPAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Glorp-the-goober]

HI OPAL‼️🗣️🗣️

[@bealea1127]

"HAI OPAUL!"

[@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.

[@SugarPopLauren]

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.

[@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

[@justicebeske5704]

the mother has to be one of the scariest characters I've ever seen on screen

[@Lilith_2191]

I worked with a kid at the Y a few years back who lied about his home life all the time. Made up family members, pets, and events. He was also obsessive about his interests. Most of his lies were based on these interests. “One time my brother said I was just like Superman because nothing could hurt me. He even shot me with a BB gun and I didn’t even feel it.” His guardian revealed he had no brother and his neighbor had a BB gun but he had never used one nor been shot. (These details are fabricated for the kids confidentiality but you get the idea). If he got stressed he’d shut down and stare at the superman comics that he brought with him everywhere. The bits of truth he did share about his home life hinted at significant trauma. He always reminded me of this short film and how Opal invented a fantasy world to cope and escape from her life. Other kids always got annoyed with him and his lies but my heart really broke for him and it enraged me that his parents really messed him up. A lot of people should not be allowed to be parents and I am a firm believer that licensing should be the new standard for the privilege to be a parent or caregiver. Too many kids are harmed by this culture to protect adults rights to procreate a child tear instead of trying to implement harm reduction by ensuring a stable and healthy home for kids. Removing kids from toxic homes isn’t good enough! Once the damage is done, removing them doesn’t heal them. We need to do more for our kids.

[@macndonals]

this is so incredibly sad. [spoiler for the crowded room if you haven’t watched/plan on watching it] this reminded me of the crowded room because that’s exactly what tomorrow holland’s character (danny) goes through; severe trauma that resulted in him making up different characters in his life to cope :/

[@GlendaRayIrl]

I did this as a kid too, and even as an 18 year old I still do it sometimes. Use lies and mental escapism, it's horrific but coming from someone with a childhood that demanded that coping mechanism..it was either that, or a severe nervous breakdown that would lead to suicide or insanity.

[@war_muffin363]

My concern with having "licensing" for parents is that it puts another barrier for good parents wanting to have a child but are unable to due to financial burdens. We don't need to add more legal burdens onto the cost of living crisis either, we should be trying to help the reasons why bad parents start in the first place, ie addressing poverty and cost of living. That, and we shouldn't give an authority power to dictate who can and who can't have children. Parent licensing punishes good parents instead of helping kids of bad parents.

[@Lilith_2191]

@@war_muffin363 the licenses could be free. Even if they weren’t if the cost of birthing in a hospital in America doesn’t deter someone from having kids nothing will. And people aren’t bad parents because they’re poor. They’re bad parents because of generational trauma. I would propose that anyone who wants a kid who doesn’t pass a psych test needs to go to therapy and parenting classes until they’re ready. No point in passing on generational trauma.

[@war_muffin363]

@@Lilith_2191 You are correct with the generational trauma. Abuse happens in cycles. Perhaps I should have been more specific in that easing the financial and legal burden of raising children is the least that we can reasonably do a group of people. Therapy and counseling can only work on an individual basis. With that being said, I don't think we should give a sole authority figure control over who gets to have children. Even if we ignore "absolute power corrupts absolutely", practically, what would such a test ask for and examine? What are the penalties if a child is born to unlicenced parents, regardless of whether they are fit to keep the child? CPS has its issues sure, but I don't think it's a step in the right direction to give it authority to confiscate children from families over a simple licensing violation. This idea comes from a place of good intentions, but I feel like it could easily corrupt into abuse by the state, eugenics, population control, or simply just another annoying barrier that parents have to go through to raise children, as if there's not already enough of those.

[@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.

[@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 🤔

[@ramirezthesilvite]

Claire's mom grabs her and won't let go, and we see in her song she's physically abusive as well. Meanwhile, Opal's mom keeps her hands behind her back at all times. Also, Claire's mom says "So you decided to be a person today." I didn't grow up in an abusive household, but that line still gets me. As an introvert who doesn't especially enjoy being around people unless on my own terms, I can say please do not ever say something like this to your kids. "Well look who decided to join us!" or "Ah! It's alive!" or "So you finally decided to say hi?" It's insensitive at best, and does not in any way encourage a shy or introverted kid to want to be around you more. If anything, whether you mean to or not, it comes across as shaming them for daring to show their face. I got a lot of that from my family growing up. My dad and uncles usually, sometimes an aunt. They didn't mean it the way Claire's mother does here, but it still doesn't feel good. If you feel the need to comment, try to be complimentary, or to actually engage them in conversation. Make the kid feel welcome, I guarantee they'll engage more.

[@misterflibble2931]

Fr bro I feel you as a fellow introvert 😢

[@MaryBaker-qv3vv]

I absolutely agree.

[@wesleygreenhow8843]

same here, they say it jokingly, but it doesn't always feel that way

[@MrMcFish219]

This really resonates with me. (Not the abuse part.) Being quiet sucks, and any time I actually talk, I'm always talked over or indirectly shamed like how you put it. Good to know I'm not the only one at least.

[@Marcomanexists]

My mom said similar things to me today. I had a drinking problem in my late teens and I was extremely depressed. Instead of using my name she’d say “has that person done anything today?” Or “that person is crazy”. Sometimes it was “treat me like I’m your boss at work”.

[@Jared_6278]

Notice how when the grandpa screams it makes one of those train track sounds when a train is coming near. I also noticed how trains need SMOKE to power on just like the grandpa, which is maybe a little hint to why it makes that train track noise when he screams

[@yaya.kittyy_]

thats such a cool analyzation

[@zoupian]

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.

[@saturn1331]

@@charliebear2048 As someone who went through similar to what Claire did, I'm afraid that there isn't any genuine love directed towards her by her mother. If it is 'love,' then it's a highly codependent version that is beyond toxic. That, and how she says "You and I don't live Claire, we survive" is incredibly reminiscent of the anxiety-inducing fearmongering that abusers (especially abusive parents) tell their kids so that they stay fearful and under their control. Man, Jack is a genius. He has been able to accurately portray what I and others like Claire lived through in our childhoods. I hope Claire was able to escape when she got older, and go no contact with her whole family. It's the only way one can heal, and it's what I had to do recently.

[@saturn1331]

@@justintime220 You say weird, I say expected. A lot of people who enter industries and fields where they have a position of power over the vulnerable (I.e social workers, nurses, etc) gravitate in those directions because of that. There's a few articles that discuss the subject, meaning there's some pretty valid research behind it. And I myself can verify it as well because my own mom- who was INCREDIBLY abusive and codependent on me in ways that I can't even begin to describe here- was a hospital worker. That's not to say that you shouldn't trust medical/social professionals as a whole. After all- and besides a few questionably ethical violations, like praying for an atheist patient of hers as he was passing away- she *was* incredibly talented in her work, saving countless lives. But her work persona was unimaginably different from that of her home life. All in all, it just goes to show that where there is power, there are people who are eager to wrap their fists around it. But even then, they still find themselves frustrated because power won't help them heal from their own traumas. So they then abuse the power they have over those who are dependent on them, especially children. Mental health should be as important as physical health. If it was, maybe I and the rest of my siblings would have had an actually loving mother to this day. Opal/Claire would too.

[@SuperSillystar1256]

Finally I don't feel alone

[@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: 🤝

[@Ann1e-Ex1sts]

This is so triggering but oddly comforting. I never had grown up in an abusive household, and I’ve never been neglected that heavily, but I found this sort of relaxing and scary at the same time? I don’t even know, it’s like Jack Stauber can read the minds of traumatized children.

[@RustysInferno]

cringe

[@Ann1e-Ex1sts]

@@RustysInferno Womp womp 🤷‍♀️

[@Idek_XD]

Same

[@_bwthhl]

@@RustysInferno its not cringe its kinda true for some people i went through alot when i was younger and this has been my comfort film for like a while now

[@Imbored-inc]

Jack stauber said it himself art should disturb the comforted and comfort the disturbed

[@Deez_losers110]

The thing that's terrifying is how the imaginary family looks like the real family but more calm and not over obsessed or drunk or lazy

[@pouypouy8952]

i don’t see why it’s terrifying, makes senses the kid wants her own parents to be better, not random good parents

[@Deez_losers110]

I word it wrong, I meant scary

[@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

[@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

[@AllThingsEntertainings]

Something that I’ve noticed is how when she has the burger in her imagination, she doesn’t really know what to do at first. Her family is encouraging her, but she still doesn’t really know what to do, so she just picks it up and dances. It shows how neglected she is and what an isolated life she’s living. She’s never seen a burger other than the billboard, so she has no clue what it is and what you do with it. I think that if the burger wasn’t even on the billboard, she would’ve probably made up what she thinks it is in her imagination.

[@brokenanklesarentfun]

Both of my parents were narcissists and this is so accurate. When she opens the door and feels "caught" is how you feel in a household like this, and persists years beyond. The maladaptive daydreaming to cope with your reality. No one truly seeing you and operating from pure shame. The elder generations who started the trauma living within the home once they get older. The covert narc mother lashing out physically on her children because she feels powerless against her narc partner. The grandiose narcissist shaming others and lifting up themselves. The complete disrespect of boundaries such as locking or shutting a door. The lack of any true connection let alone unconditional love. This is such a raw and terrifying portrayal of the reality and it still hits me just as hard as when I first saw it.

[@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

[@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.

[@V3ntr8]

She isn’t called Claire, her name is opal

[@walkermcmullin8665]

@@V3ntr8 …Who wants to tell him?

[@_idk_man_]

"AW ITS CUTE" "oh its traumatized"

[@Voxwithashark]

Nah it’s just feeling a little silly that’s all

[@fontaine_enthusiast]

Claire's smile at the start of the vid was so precious, too bad she can't smile like that in her real home also do u guys wonder what would happen if her real family managed to enter the room at the end?

[@Karma_Akabane01]

probably she would be abused both mentally and physically, like she normally is…poor claire

[@varlenthamurtinez]

The mom would probably physically abuse her

[@user-rl1qr1mn4g]

Idk mzbey they will hug her or stm

[@wesleygreenhow8843]

i thought she was gunna jump out the window, i would if i had to live like that :(

[@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.

[@Brain-Wormed]

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

[@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

[@timeklivickis]

@@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

[@tarblade1448]

"And in our eyes you'll stay" has some nuance to it that makes it uncomfortable. Yes it can be taken as the encouragement from her fake family, a vocalization of her deepest desire a family who loves her, but it can also be taken as her being unable to leave this situation. In the eyes of the billboard her horrible situation *is* right in front of them, she *will* stay.

[@CBGS01]

Just noticed that the poster lights are in opals eyes in the first we see you opal part. They foreshadowed this like 10 minutes earlier than we found out.

[@Duckduck3323]

That’s so cool how do y’all notice these?

[@CBGS01]

Jack stuffed as much detail in this as possible. And we watch it as many times as possible

[@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

[@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.

[@Heisenburg69420]

“I feel terrible for all the things- I feel terrible” It sounds like the mom was about to apologize for all that she’s done to Claire, but refuses to take accountability. As with the grandpa living in a world of TV and cigarettes and the dad in his reflection chamber. These parents don’t take any responsibility or accountability that they’re the parents.

[@MaryBaker-qv3vv]

Oh yeah, I didn’t catch that line.

[@banana2k1]

"Hey Claire, ever heard of CPS?"

[@Doctor_nowhere]

Yeah

[@youplio6017]

Wow never expected to see dr.nowhere here💀

[@wesleygreenhow8843]

she's so isolated she doesn't know what to with a burger, let alone know what CPS is :(

[@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 😭

[@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.

[@Siegeroyalbomber]

Have a family of men holding shaves for your ball sax

[@user-kh8uw8mx2g]

@@Siegeroyalbomber sorry what m8

[@ShriekingHyperFixator]

I guess she will have to have a family of toyatas

[@G89q779]

I’m not sure anyone noticed this but in the beginning celebration scene when she’s dancing with the hamburger and then YAY it’s in the same position as the sign.

[@be3tle-wingz]

I love how in the first part, you can see the reflection of the lights from the billboard in Opal's eyes. It's a very small but smart detail.

[@Lorifluff-cw5eb]

I agree💯💯💯

[@bealea1127]

Timestqmp?

[@be3tle-wingz]

​@@bealea1127 0:53 look at her eyes

[@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

[@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.

[@TR1PPYH1PPIE]

lyrics if anybody wants it *WE SEE YOU, OPAL* 1:01 We see you, Opal Your troubles are miles away We see you, Opal And in our eyes you'll stay *WHY DOES IT SOUND SO EASY TO BREATH?* 4:28 Tell me Why does it sound so easy to breathe, on TV? I can't see Why it sounds so easy to breath... I'm popular here They all sing to me (La la la la) Idea salesmen They want my soul, Claire! They fight over me like dogs And the girls are singing (La la la la) They dance too, I assume (Yeah, we do!) They want my soul as well I need that smoke, Claire What the hell is taking you? And why won't you tell me Why does it sounds so easy to breathe, on TV? Oh, won't you tell me Why does it sounds so easy to breathe, on TV? It sounds so easy... *MIRROR MAN* 7:09 They turn me down, now I live my nightmare Gotta be seen by someone out there Now I sit here in reflection chamber Fixing myself so that all can savor Follow me, I'm on the brink of visual epiphany Life a costume away Oh, life's a wardrobe change So I can shift Create a rift With beauty and with grin Blush sensation Creates a foundation God is in my skin They turn me down, now I live my nightmare Gotta be seen by someone out there Now I sit here in reflection chamber Crafting the world, it's next new savior *VIRTUOUS CYCLE* 9:22 Mama needs a little girl to land on Mama needs a little girl to fall in her arms Mama needs a mama's girl to take good care Mama needs a baby girl to hold her hair *WE SEE YOU, OPAL* 11:30 We see you, Opal Your troubles are miles away We see you, Opal And in our eyes you'll stay

[@TR1PPYH1PPIE]

this is copied from the internet btw so soz if i got anything wrong

[@Doctor_nowhere]

Actually it’s they turned me down now I lose my nightmare

[@varlenthamurtinez]

@@Doctor_nowherehow does that make sense? He’s upset because doesn’t feel like anybody’s watching him, and he feels like he requires attention all the time. Getting “turned down” is his worst nightmare.

[@Doctor_nowhere]

Oh it sounds like now I lose my nightmare

[@IthinkitsAngelisticc]

The reason the grandpa only says “hi opal” is because Clair doesn’t really know what affection is and she doesn’t know how to fantasize it. Tbh she doesn’t go to school, she barely gets food, she has no entertainment. Except that Billboard. Her life is a cycle. Wake up > eat (if she can) > billboard > repeat. Its sad that out of the 8b people on earth rn, someone life is exactly like this. Somewhere.

[@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

[@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!!

[@jonahgodbold3546]

Does anyone else notice how actually terrifying he looks when not seen through the mirrors. He flips it around for a split second in his segment, and hes terrifying. At 11:08

[@Karma_Akabane01]

i stopped at the right time and OH MY GOD THAT IS AN ABSOLUTE JUMPSCARE

[@Karma_Akabane01]

i think that his face may be a result of the mom’s physical abuse

[@zoiegatewood2198]

Maybe he became obsessed with covering up the fact that he looks like that and trying to look perfect again

[@jonahgodbold3546]

@@zoiegatewood2198 I think it's a representation of how opal sees her dad. like the emotional abuse personified.

[@Karma_Akabane01]

ohhh yeah!

[@peanut3991]

Opal hit the burger dance

[@Doctor_nowhere]

Nice moves opal

[@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

[@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

[@kaidenna298]

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

[@Icycrits]

@@kaidenna298 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

[@lukatriolo6740]

This short film honestly brings back so much PTSD for me, or at least a lot of memories that I would rather forget. In a way, it's almost comforting, and this short film is very realistic in its show of an abusive household. Beautifully done and executed too :)). ( also poor Opal my little girl 😭 )

[@notchocolate]

“My child is fine!” The child:

[@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.

[@ChaiDrawz]

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

[@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

[@thenightshadowyt9309]

11:09 if the pause is timed perfectly, one can more or less see her father's face for just a frame here and it is a terrifying reflection of what he has become with his narcissism.

[@Entraunter_studios]

No it’s because the mom of the house beat him with a beer bottle

[@Princess_Pomphera]

@@Entraunter_studios Well, actually, it could be both. He could have been disfigured by the mother and tried so hard to get his face to look right that he ended up damaging it even more. In his song, we see his skin tearing away in several mirrors near the end. He's breaking himself by trying to fix himself.

[@Infinitesimaldude]

@@Princess_Pompherathat actually make senese

[@Duckduck3323]

You can tell that she is imagining the first part because the father's face (0:50) is the same face on the billboard, (10:44) before he clicks alive, signifying that she can only imagine him in her mind from the billboard.

[@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.

[@user-wl4sr4tl7f]

@@not_maui7244 He's literally blind

[@rileylegault3329]

@@user-wl4sr4tl7f he describes recognizing her through scent

[@Thepateisgreat]

Like the detail of the lights above the billboard being evident throughout, especially in the very beginning. And that she’s looking out the window at nighttime, likely the only time she ever gets to escape and have peace. What a beautiful peace of art. This is astoundingly brilliant.

[@therejectedbeatle]

I did not have an abusive childhood like Claire but I did have a pretty traumatic one and just the way Jack captures maladaptive daydreaming here is so on point. Immersing yourself in a fantasy world where “your troubles are miles away” and completely forgetting what your reality is like until you’re out of your daydream state and it hits you this is your reality and not the fantasies you’ve created in your head to distract your mind from your realities. I love this short so much.

[@knifecrab9511]

It's interesting that the lyrics of the first song are "We see you" and then with every encounter in the house each person can't see her.

[@dannyrank123]

Claire's parents seem pretty neglectful

[@enimo9241]

It's because she wishes she had a family that would see her and not ignore her

[@yeahimethan5968]

@@enimo9241 sounds a bit selfish considering the grandpas blind LMAO

[@yeahimethan5968]

Kididng

[@1qstudios]

But it is that they think she is clare right? Because the old man smells and says "wait yiu are not clare, what are you doing in my house?"

[@hibiscusbuds6414]

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

[@hawley5240]

Makes me wonder if Jack has experienced it as well.

[@ThePikachuOnTheInternet]

I think that’s why he makes this stuff.

[@jedinight2353]

Holy fuckign shit your right.

[@massivecowbreakout7555]

1:37

[@SidneyRees]

@@hawley5240 You should watch Gettin' My Mom On - Jack Stauber

[@xavierhymes4730]

9:49 you can see the mirror man or Claire’s dad calling 911 and then you can see Claire’s mom hit her dad which explains why he stays in the bathroom

[@verypuppetswag]

Ngl Opals dad is awful but I seriously feel bad for him in this scene

[@Dum__Bch]

One thing I haven’t noticed people talking about is the beginning sequence. It shows all the family member’s addictions. First are cigarettes and TV, indicating the grandpa. Then it’s a mirror, signifying the dad. The pills shows the mom. And, as soon as Opal arrives, the dad focuses his attention to her. I feel to Op in an emotional way. My parents aren’t abusive anymore, but the trauma is still there and like Opal, it’s eating me alive. I feel terrible for everyone like her and my heart reaches out to all of them

[@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!!

[@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.

[@Maedooo]

Returning back after watching it 100 times at its release, it still holds up as the greatest thing stauber has put out. god bless.

[@AuggieWauggie629]

I don't think I've ever seen such a realistic depiction of neglect in media since I found Opal. I wasn't expecting so many others who had a similar experience or found comfort in this video. or especially with other individuals who find it made them recall their own childhood. So many times I've seen neglect represented just as physical abuse but seeing a video that sheds light in such a way, showing all sides and through the eyes of a child? genius. Of course, this isn't to say other portrayals of abuse in media are more/less important. It's refreshing to see it done in such a way that it can be interpreted in a multitude of ways, especially when it resonates so closely with my own experience of childhood neglect. beautiful work.

[@do0m3r_b0y3]

The grandpa: *has lung problems* Also the grandpa: *sings a banger song*

[@goshswagger]

naw cause gran pappy hittin those notes

[@do0m3r_b0y3]

@@goshswagger PLEASE THIS IS THE FUNNIEST COMMENT I HAVE READ ALL DAY-

[@jihaneelkamili4992]

@@goshswagger PLSSS

[@sourcoffeekid1889]

lmao 😭

[@strawberrieee7754]

MSNSN

[@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

[@ZaF4ran]

im guessing the reason Claire is more attached to her fake Father in her "escapism dreams"(no clue what to call it) is because his abuse is more hidden. Mother obviously hits her or bruised her in someway; she also (most likely) disfigured Father. Grandfather seems to be alot worse on shouting and has probably had sprees of physical abuse; his health is also so bad it's scaring Claire. While Father seems too obsessed with himself to care to yell (he probably still does but less) and hit her. Instead, he guilt trips and HEAVILY neglects her. Father, although as bad as Mother and Grandfather, probably seems less bad to Claire. Father is a good manipulator saying things like 'you know how this makes me feel!' and speaking in such a soft (?) and charismatic voice makes Claire trust him more. I WANT TO BE SUPER DUPER CLEAR!! Im not exusing Father's actions with his abuse or his lack of physical abuse towards Claire like many others are doing! I can see that Father is just as bad as Grandfather and Mother, I'm just stating how his manipulation and guilt tripping may have influenced Claire into """""liking""""" him more. This shows in the fake Family where the 'Father' is closer to Claire. Anyway, im pretty sure im right BUT if you want to correct me about anything please do! Father's manipulation also hits close for me! Not my family but a friend I had when I was younger was similar! So I do have similar (BUT MUCH MILDER I CANT STRESS THIS ENOUGH MILDER) experiences! Guilt tripping and manipulation can make a false picture of a person. in conclusion father bad claire needs to be saved Edit (extra): after watching again I realised i didnt explain my veiw on the Father very well. The Father is a deeply flawed person, he is riddled with insecurities, suffered abuse at the hands of his wife (Mother) and is obviously deeply unstable. But, Father is my favourite character for the reason that despite all that stuff making him sympathetic, it is shown that he is not. He uses Claire as a way to affirm himself without having to take care of her, he makes fun of her and he guilt trips the hell out of her! Father is still a terrible monster, he's a narrsisist that only cares about his looks and NOT his own daughter. Obviously, Father's abuse is sad for him but that doesnt give an exuse to hurt Claire. thanl you for reading this stupid ramble lol

[@rayofsunshine5046]

I just noticed, the window doors from the attic when Claire looks out at 10:39 are attached in the opposite direction (so when they close, it doesn't fit the shape of the window frame), haha.

[@jolijoli09]

Maybe they slide

[@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

[@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

[@RequiemPoison]

I'll make a what if note about a particular part. What if them singing "we see you, Opal" etc is the fact that the billboard that stands by, facing her home where she can see it? The billboard is always there, saying that in their eyes, she'll stay; all they'll ever be able to do is see her. Them telling her in her dreams to not worry about the house across the street, is her way of pulling away from the nightmares that lie in her home, closing the curtains to keep her mind away and to just try to get some sleep.

[@Jerosmaximus]

The design of Claire is simply fantastic, not only is she clearly malnourished, but her eyes serve a purpose as well. She just wants to be seen by her family, and she is the only once with big eyes, his grandpa is blind, his fathers eyes just focus on himself, and her mother can barely keep them open. But at any moment you can clearly see in the reflection of her eyes what she is looking at, when she is in her fantasy, you can see the lights on the billboard, and when heading to her room, you can see the window in her eyes, because its the only place where she wants to be.

[@tacomiester]

In a way shes just like the adults. in a situation shes long since given up control over she can only survive by focusing on the little sliver of good.

[@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

[@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

[@RiverStyxIDV]

One day, i will make a work of art as meaningful as this, as painful as this, and as thought out as this. Jack Stauber, keep creating. I'll catch up soon.

[@Alexaq268]

I bet you will. And I bet it'll be awesome. I hope it goes well and gets acknowledged like Jack's

[@xX_Anime_rat_Xx]

I cant stop re-watching this thing

[@Person_With_The_Best_Username]

This is the 3rd time I've watched this ☠️

[@xX_Anime_rat_Xx]

@@Person_With_The_Best_Username i think its the 3rd or 4th for meee-

[@TherianInTheOsc]

Samee

[@xX_Anime_rat_Xx]

@@TherianInTheOsc yesh

[@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

[@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

[@Marmalademuskrat]

The fact she gets sturdy at the start makes this an amazing video

[@Wolf_Pickles]

1:36 Epic Hamburger dance 3:26 AAAAAAAAAAAH 3:48 The man needs his cigarettes 4:30 EPIC SONG ABOUT BREATHING ON TV 7:14 He is singing about needing attention and being perfect and it is 🔥🔥🔥 8:31 She Angy 10:29 Derpy 11:28 We see you Opal

[@hornypolice293]

Opals family give her no attention. They can't see her, Her grandpa can’t see her because he is blind and obsessed with the tv, her dad is obsessed with himself and can’t see her because of the mirrors, and her mom is obsessed with alchohol and can’t see her because she’s drunk. The reason why she thinks of the Opals Burgers sign as her family is because they are the only ones who look at her, who can see her. Everyone has their escape from reality and opals is the burger sign.

[@deodate2995]

"we see you, opal" holy shit

[@zach6255]

Well her name is actually Claire, Opal is the girl on the billboard, but yes exactly 💯

[@hornypolice293]

@@zach6255 yeah idk I was calling her opal lol

[@zach6255]

@@hornypolice293 Yeah it's okay XD Easy mistake especially since she calls herself Opal

[@hornypolice293]

@idiotsss liveagain o gosh I hadn’t thought of that lol

[@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-

[@Duck20287]

The songs!!!❤❤ Heavenly music- 2:51 Breath on- TV 4:28 More heavenly music- 6:14 Mirror man- 7:09 Mamma girl- 9:23

[@Bercuda]

It is extraordinary how talented jack is, and how he can perfectly tell a story. I hope to see more of his amazing work in the future. He deserves things like this.

[@gamerpigeonakafbi8210]

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

[@Ismael-wk5en]

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]

@@Ismael-wk5en 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]

@@Ismael-wk5en 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.

[@EddieAtTheMorgue]

Opal: a gemstone that has a different appearance depending on the angle you look at it 🤯

[@avery3834]

God, there are so many details!!

[@godorgoddess3543]

aaa that makes this even sadder.

[@NebulaBubbles]

she sees herself as a miserable child. HOLY CRAP-

[@EddieAtTheMorgue]

@@NebulaBubbles I think she understands she’s miserable, but she escapes reality as Opal. Who has a similar appearance but very different life. We are presented with “Opal” in the beginning but then the perspective changes and we see her differently, her true self so to speak.

[@bethanyvarre9142]

There's also superstition tied with opals. Once said to bring good luck, it wasn't until Walt Scott's novel Anne of Geierstein, where an opal had holy water fall upon it, that it became a cursed item. Clair/Opal may see herself as a curse to her family.

[@soaringelke]

I explained Opal to my mom scene by scene and I think i only missed four details: 1: the noise right before she enters the house 2: how easy to breathe guy coughs up blood 3: the wailing the prompts her to go across the street 4: the really cool animation style also unrelated, but Opal is forced to sleep on a mattress in attic and the scrunched up face she makes near the end when she goes to the billboard family is the same face she makes at the beginning

[@KOrgan0414]

Every time I watch this, Claire’s scream becomes more and more haunting.

[@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

[@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

[@bealea1127]

Arnold: Please let this be a normal field trip! The field trip:

[@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

[@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

[@TheArtzyAnimalTV]

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.