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A psychotherapist haunted by a nonsensical plot [Review of the motion picture Gothika]

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Author

Summary, in English

Gothika breaks new ground in forensic psychology by implying a new defense: innocent by reason of spirit possession. The film, on its surface, deals with a number of other psychological issues. Its heroine, Dr. Miranda Gray, is a criminal psychologist who works in an institution for the criminally insane. There is discussion of repression as a "survival tool," episodes of apparent psychogenic amnesia, and speculations on the psychology of serial rapists and killers. All of these, however, are but a flimsy cover for a poorly constructed, illogical plot that does as much disservice to the presentation of psychological matters as to the enjoyment of a good ghost story.

Publishing year

2005

Language

English

Publication/Series

Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books

Volume

50

Issue

23 Article 15

Document type

Review

Publisher

American Psychological Association (APA)

Topic

  • Psychology

Keywords

  • forensic psychology
  • motion picture
  • spirit possession
  • psychogenic amnesia
  • repression

Status

Published