Understanding the Red Turtle | The Red Turtle (2016) | Character Analysis

A video essay and character analysis on The Red Turtle. Directed by Michael Dudok de Wit and released in 2016.
A man is shipwrecked and stranded on an island and every time he makes an escape the Red Turtle stops him. However, once the turtle transforms into a beautiful woman, their relationship changes. A movie about nature and human nature told beautifully.
Twitter: @FilmIsPics
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[@user-cx6lq8mt5g]

One thought I always think back to is the idea that later in the future, when another shipwrecked person makes it onto the island and discovers the remains of the man, they’ll probably think of how lonely and painful his life on the island must have been, when in reality, he had lived a very happy and fulfilling life with his wife and son before passing away peacefully.

[@antoniobasic2779]

3:00 "as soon as the turtle transforms into a turtle his motives changed" His motives have changed when he noticed the damage he had done, when he killed the turtle. The fact that he regretted it and started pouring water on it, trying to save it, and ultimately trying to flip it back (but to no avail) made him realise what is done cannot be undone. THAT was his transformation, he accepted his new circumstances of life. Imagine, if you will, somebody living in denial after losing a limb, whereas they can accept that life will never be the same again and live on as is. THAT is what happened to the man when he ended the turtle's life, not when it became a woman.

[@ocdguyhere3465]

People call this a boring film, i tell you this if you have an imagination you'll understand this movie more the visions of Ghibli and the French producers in one single animated movie, it is art and the most important it has an important lesson

[@Bonnie-jp2wx]

Doesn't matter how many times I've watch, I am still crying .......

[@lastigesoma6126]

I saw it for the first time today and I cried....

[@dorotheegumisad5411]

Where to watch?

[@Grereels]

I too cried so many times in the film , omg what a masterpiece !😔😢

[@matteframe]

I thought it was comical. I laughed.

[@kentguiller]

Questions still bothers me like what happened to the son and will the Red Turtle repeat the Cycle again?

[@catojanse473]

It’s a special and beautiful movie, I cried a lot during the movie and I still cry everytime I hear the soundtrack

[@JordanCHLand]

I don't like the idea that the red turtle (symbolising nature) would be motivated to become a human from the start. I feel that the red turtle knows that the man is unsafe out in the ocean, and that is why the red turtle wants the man to stay. To warn him about the dangers of reality and not for the means becoming a human. I don't see why the turtle to become a man to begin with. She becomes a woman (symbolising natures beauty) when the man regrets his destructive behaviours and has empathy for her. This allows the turtle to reveal her beauty to him and allow them to "become one", as they say. I think the movie is suggesting to acknowledge the beauty in nature and in turn the gift of life, which as demonstratex with the child character is part of nature. But this is just my opinion. Love ur vid :)

[@matteframe]

I think the man went insane and none of the events occurred.

[@lazorplayz4556]

@@matteframe nah. the turtle did became a women

[@aliza2644]

What happened to the son? He swam away with the turtles to where? Was he part turtle 🐢 lol

[@bigol9223]

​@@aliza2644 I think it represents a man's life. He fights against being stuck, trying to escape, and then finds love, and that makes him realize he doesn't mind staying there. Then he has a child, they face a destructive event like all families do, his son grows up and leaves to find his own way in the world, then the man grows old with his love and passes away. Very simple interpretation, I don't think it's the full picture at all but I think that's one layer of the story. Beautiful film.

[@ebinbenny]

This movie does not have a story. Instead, it has a poem.

[@manikantaaravind3689]

Just watched the movie ,,,, but I didn't understand anything ... The women and son is the mans imagination ??

[@RohitChandru]

@@manikantaaravind3689 I'm Clueless.. is it so?

[@gsahara8405]

@@manikantaaravind3689 nooo of course not!

[@gsahara8405]

People that lack of art and insightfulness in their hearts should not watch this movie

[@yeahbaby2710]

@@gsahara8405 gatekeeping mf

[@ludmilasilverio4004]

It was a beautiful movie, just finished and now it helped to listen to this.

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

I'm glad you found the video useful. Thanks!

[@kaylemkerr6989]

I just finished watching this film for the first time and have added it to my Studio Ghibli collection (they are my favourite films of all time). You have made a splendid analysis!

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@heyitsfadoua]

I completely understand the meaning of this movie. It's one of the most beautiful films I've ever watched. I cried. I really did...

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

I respect that. This movie has that effect. I appreciate the comment!

[@manikantaaravind3689]

Just watched the movie ,,,, but I didn't understand anything ... The women and son is the mans imagination ??

[@kaysdash8556]

The most beautiful movie in the whole wide world

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thanks for the comment! It took me two watches to realise how beautiful it was.

[@kaysdash8556]

@@filmisjustmovingpictures Silent animated movie that speaks tons of volumes, gives me something to reminisce every time I re-watch it. Thanks a lot for your theory about this amazing movie, it's brilliant..

[@dorotheegumisad5411]

Where to watch?

[@kaysdash8556]

It's everywhere, literally. 👍

[@matteframe]

@@kaysdash8556 I literally isn't everywhere. If it were literally everywhere, it would be up your butt. Is it there? Kids, use the word literally correctly, please, for the love of god.

[@FourCornersCoffee]

i was looking for the shortest video that explain the movie.....sheesh all this went over my head

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

I guess I'm not that good analysing movies😂 It took two watching of the movie before I formed my opinion on it. I recommend rewatching it. You might have missed out on something that makes the movie click for you😁

[@ahmedraiyan700]

Beautifully explained.

[@potatoe_hooman]

That last line, completes my understanding, thanks. ❤

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

I'm glad it helped!

[@shriously]

Nice Explanation mate.

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thanks!

[@Nadeshda44]

Wow :) I watched this movie twice in 1 day, because I was so awestruck. Your analysis is really beautiful 🤍

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thanks!

[@user-zt7td9rw9i]

Very beautiful analysis, thank you for that!

[@jademardellmanungas9501]

The meaning is so deep. Just realised it! Thankyou! (it made me cry a bit)

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

When it made you cry, are you taking about the movie or my analysis? (hoping your talking about my analysis). But thanks for the comment!

[@jademardellmanungas9501]

The movie but so much more on your analysis! It all finally hit me when you explained it.

[@leila4509]

More relevant today than ever. Such a thoughtful insight into this film, wow thank you again :)

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

I'm glad you're liking the videos

[@leila4509]

@@filmisjustmovingpictures Subscribed :)

[@markdimarziomusic]

I loved this film. It was so moving ! ❤

[@rekimeki8070]

I cried to you video. Thanks :)

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thank you for watching!

[@Ibdabadman]

Nice breakdown dude. Cheers

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

👍

[@uygarArabul]

My interpretation of the motivation of the red turtle is simply for the sake of the experience, either for her own, for the man, or (most likely) for the whole family. I think this because it doesn't fit well that she's warning or helping the man by stopping him leave; for all we know perhaps he would've made it. We also see her go to the island, most likely intentionally. We see her truly enjoy her years with the man and the boy, and briefly mourning his death. Afterwards she simply moves on. To me it seems this turtle isn't some divine power like nature itself, but more like a representation of the desire for a simple and beautiful life, possibly as shared by the majority of living things.

[@megannemichel4357]

Your such good help I did not fully understand the movie until you explained it thank you a lots and your doing such a great work ♥️

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Your comment made my journey home from work better😀. Thank you😊

[@scmommy4539]

I must see this movie now! Sounds beautiful! Subscribed. xx

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Definitely give it a watch. Thanks again for the comment!

[@lazorplayz4556]

@@filmisjustmovingpictures sir was the women his imagination or the movie is just a fantasy?

[@victorbadoe]

beautifully told. What a movie..

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thanks!

[@sallytse1272]

When i just watched this short movie, I only recognized that the red turtle might be god, she made the man stay but she spends her life as a human with the man as the rest of the life, until the man dead although her heart breaks but she also had to leave

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

What's your opinion on the red turtle...film and character?

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Will be watching with keen eyes (*insert eyes emoji)

[@lazorplayz4556]

did the red turtle really changed to a women?

[@nicolerobinson8732]

My theory is that the turtle was so mad about being bonked on the head, she pulled off this long con where she baby trapped the dude until he died, before giving him a big " F U I'm a turtle." and leaving his body there to be eaten by the crabs

[@papadragon7859]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@Bone_Fable236]

I feel like I watched the movie in a stupefied daze, and was mostly just scoffing at the strange events as I struggled to get the reason behind the movie. However, there is something to the fact that I watched the whole thing through with utter attention; I was waiting for the clear answer that explained everything, and it didn't really come. A part of me wanted to hate the movie for its weirdness (seriously...the guy had a child with a turtle...) but another part of me understood there was a deeper meaning that I hadn't grasped yet. This analysis really did it for me, though - bravo!

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thank you! I'm glad my video helped

[@SenshiNico]

This was a pretty good video, I'm suscribing.

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thank you!!

[@theobserver3753]

She's an unknown type of mermaid I guess.

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

More like a selkie, perhaps.

[@riekotz]

it is indeed a beautiful movie :)

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Agreed!

[@ananslator3655]

I just watched it today it was both confusing and beautiful

[@edrianloresca393]

My Feel That I Love It But I Hate When It Ends Its So Sad Its Always In My Head

[@r.s.9861]

Timeless Masterpiece!

[@gsahara8405]

This film is art. People that don't understand art will not appreciate this movie either. So why do they watch it? To look cool and say they did? It only makes it worse and puts them in evidence I don't mean to be salty this is just my opinion, this is my favorite movie of all time and some people can be very disrespectful

[@amelea8305]

i just watched it and it was amazingly beautiful. its gotta be one of my favorite ghibli films. i cried so hard at the end

[@amelea8305]

i cried so damn hard

[@torababdullah7952]

Wow perfect explanation

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Appreciate the support!

[@jadenasher6290]

I don't really agree with this assessment. But this was a well made video that was interesting to hear. This movie was amazing.

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

It's cool that you enjoyed the video without agreeing with me

[@jadenasher6290]

@@filmisjustmovingpictures Absolutely. I just had a different takeaway from the film.

[@SchwabGames2014]

I saw this on TV and was like: What is this? Me being a person that is easily intrigued by sense of mystery and wonder I stayed around for it, but never actually had the time or thought to understand it. Overall I liked it It may be boring on some level but if your drawn to something mysterious and wonderful that you somehow subconsciously follow it than it's a good film

[@aliza2644]

What happened to the son? Where did he go with the turtles? Was he part turtle? 🐢

[@nottingham_ChrisAllison]

Thank you

[@reke9942]

Dam that last sentence struck home. Subbed

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thank you! The support is always appreciated 😁

[@jassemmirandaduites4922]

Is there no dialogue or convo in this movie?

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

No dialogue. Just visual storytelling.

[@matteframe]

You need to look up the subtitles. They explain it all.

[@danielrappe7128]

We never see the red turtle attacking his boats. It only looks to us like that by the was the cuts are made

[@jargon2568]

The movie still reminds me of tintin

[@RiiftApart]

heliex deliex cs When I saw the guy I instantly went: Ah, Tintins hair got black and the dog is dead!

[@20FreeWill]

The Red Turtle is God , expressed both internally and externally , consciously and subconsciously The raft would have been physical death The island spiritual death God stepped in and provided a solution, when he showed the faithful love of a true mourner , tge Turtle represented creation, with its ability to traverse the sea and land, its gentle unassuming unassertive presence, its birthing many babies , its guiding him while he was unaware

[@killstrike1001]

Awesome Man! Really helped me to understand the movie more! :D

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thanks for the support! And I'm glad you liked it and got something useful out of it!

[@AnointedFlow]

Nice explanation. However I feel she was just using him to make her half breed turtle human children.

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

I thought on that line as well but the second time I watched it. I just found a new meaning to it.

[@AnointedFlow]

@@filmisjustmovingpictures yet it makes no sense for her to fake die as a turtle, change form to a woman, live a life with him, have a child and watch him grow up, let the kid get off the island even though that's what the man was trying to do in the first place, see him die, then turn back into the young turtle she was before just to life another life to possibly do it again to someone else. Those other turtles that helped the boy were most likely the other sibling half breeds. She flat out used him.

[@RohitChandru]

@@AnointedFlow True! If this movie all about nature then It's good as fantasy! For ex : if I was there... I take the lady along with me to get back! Little bit Not fair, anyways Movie is Very good.

[@jamesdyson9502]

I respectfully disagree I don't think the turtle was intending on becoming a woman tbf so lay off

[@Gentle_Rage]

*Where did the son go?*

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

I always thought the son lived his own life as a turtle, that's why he left out to sea. But thanks for the comment!

[@Esplodiamoinallegria]

Far away

[@domf.5219]

probably college.

[@archravenineteenseventeen]

probably strtanded at the city, wanted to go back but his yacht gets destroyed by a submarine that later he destroyed and turn into a woman

[@Harley411]

well worth for subscribing i"watching you from bottom

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thanks for the support!! It'll be great if you can tell me if I've improved or not 😁

[@Amp1tude]

I don't believe that the turtle ever died

[@mohsenkazemi6977]

Well somehow I thought the movie is about that death is the way to become free. And i hope im not the only one who thinks that

[@PicturesSGC]

Well we know by now that if man knows what to do and how to bring a message across they can manipulate man into doing anything they want us to do!

[@RetroAmateur1989]

call me an uncultured swine if you will, but I really didn't like this film. Once the realization that it was not real but an allegory set in, it was downward from there. I really hate allegories.

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

To be fair it is never explicitly explained if it's real or not

[@RetroAmateur1989]

@@filmisjustmovingpictures hi there, sorry for late reply. It is not explicitly stated, but I think the proof is in the pudding.

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

@@RetroAmateur1989 Or the pudding is in the proof

[@Crusader-Ramos45]

*raises sword* Onions! *rifles ready* FIRE!!

[@squierstrat9502]

I didnt really like it. Kinda boring flick

[@gsahara8405]

This is why sensors (look up Myers Briggs) should never watch this film

[@farazbhutta1771]

It’s not for everyone 🤷‍♂️