VIVARIUM and Its Occult Symbolisms
“Vivarium” is a film rich in symbolism, reflecting deep and complex themes such as the monotony of daily life, existential imprisonment, and social alienation. These symbols help to better understand the message that director Lorcan Finnegan wanted to convey. Here is an analysis of the main symbols present in the film:
The Neighborhood
Symbol of Monotony and Conformity: The neighborhood in which the protagonists, Gemma and Tom, find themselves trapped is an endless expanse of identical houses, perfectly aligned and painted in a surreal pastel color. This represents the monotony of suburban life, where each house, and therefore each life, seems to be a copy of the previous one, lacking originality or unique meaning.
The Child
Symbol of Social Pressure: The child that Gemma and Tom are forced to raise is an inhuman being, behaving strangely and growing at an abnormal rate. It represents the social pressure to conform, to follow the predetermined path of life (such as marriage, having children, etc.), which can often seem unnatural or forced; moreover, Gemma and Tom’s inability to form a true bond with the child symbolizes the alienation and estrangement that people can feel regarding imposed social roles.
The House
Symbol of Domestic Imprisonment: The house assigned to Gemma and Tom is a trap, not a refuge. It represents how, for some people, domestic life can become a cage, where one is forced to live a repetitive and suffocating routine, with no possibility of escape.
The Basement
The basement that Tom obsessively digs represents the desire to find an escape or hidden truth. However, the discovery of an alien underground world with no way out underscores the futility of such a search within the system in which they are trapped.
The Artificial Food
Symbol of Inauthenticity and Dissatisfaction: The food provided to Gemma and Tom is tasteless and lacks substance, symbolizing the dissatisfaction and lack of meaning in their artificial life. This echoes the concept of a superficial life, devoid of emotional or spiritual nourishment.
Tom’s Death
Symbol of Defeat and Surrender: Tom dies exhausted after tirelessly digging in an attempt to find a way out. This represents the final surrender to the inevitability of fate and the trap of a predefined life, where every effort to rebel is futile.
The Artificial Sky
Symbol of Illusion: The sky over the neighborhood is an unnatural blue, always serene, but obviously fake. This symbolizes the illusion of a perfect life that society sells, but which is actually devoid of authenticity and substance.
The Endless Cycle
Symbol of Infinite Repetition: At the end of the film, the now-grown child takes the place of the real estate agent who trapped them, perpetuating the cycle. This represents the idea that the system of conformity and social alienation is destined to repeat itself endlessly, with each generation being trapped in the same way.
The Title of the Film: “Vivarium”
Symbol of Life in Captivity: The title itself, “Vivarium,” refers to a closed environment where animals or plants are observed and studied, often without them being aware of it. This is a direct reflection of the condition of Gemma and Tom, who live in an artificial environment, controlled and studied as if they were guinea pigs.
The End of the Film
Symbol of Cyclicity and Lack of Resolution: The film ends without a real resolution, leaving the viewer with a sense of unease. This reflects the cyclicality of the social system and the lack of a clear way out of the traps of modern life.
In summary, “Vivarium” uses powerful symbolism to comment on the human condition, contemporary society, and the predefined roles it imposes. The film offers a critique of suburban life and social expectations, leaving the viewer with a feeling of discomfort and reflection on their own life and choices.
VIVARIUM and Its Occult Symbolisms
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