“ Sooner or later, a man who wears two faces forgets which one is real”
“Primal Fear," a 1996 legal thriller directed by Gregory Hoblit, stands out not only for its suspenseful narrative but also for its deep psychological exploration. The film’s plot revolves around themes of psychology and insanity, offering a compelling examination of the human mind. At the core of this story are two central characters: Aaron Stampler, a seemingly innocent altar boy accused of a heinous crime, and Martin Vail, the ambitious defense attorney who takes on his case.
Introduction
The film begins with the brutal murder of Archbishop Rushman, a respected figure in Chicago. Aaron Stampler, played by Edward Norton, is quickly apprehended as the primary suspect. Aaron is a soft-spoken, stuttering young man, whose demeanor evokes sympathy and doubt about his capacity for such violence. Richard Gere’s character, Martin Vail, a high-profile defense attorney, sees Aaron's case as an opportunity to gain media attention and boost his career.
Aaron and Roy - The Split Personalities
As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that Aaron is not what he seems. Through intense interactions and therapy sessions, it is revealed that Aaron suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), a condition formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder. Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a rare psychiatric disorder diagnosed in about 1.5% of the global population. Patients often present with self-injurious behavior and suicide attempts.Those with dissociative disorders experience persistent amnesia, depersonalization, derealization or fragmentation of identity that actually interferes with the normal process of working through and putting into perspective traumatic or stressful experiences.
Aaron's DID manifests in the form of an alternate personality named Roy. Unlike Aaron, who is timid and vulnerable, Roy is aggressive and violent. This dichotomy is central to the plot, as it challenges the perception of guilt and innocence. The emergence of Roy complicates Vail’s defense strategy, as he must convince the court that Aaron was not in control during the murder due to his psychological condition.
After hearing Aaron’s story that he had seen the murderer and then blacked out, Vail becomes convinced that Aaron is indeed innocent, despite everyone else believing that he is guilty. The most noteworthy part of Aaron’s story is when he claims that he blacks out – and that it happens often – of which when he wakes up, has no recollection of what happened during that period. A psychiatrist is brought in to talk to Aaron. After being asked too many personal questions, Aaron completely snaps. This other self that he has turned into is vicious and verbally aggressive – the complete opposite of the meek Aaron we have seen so far. He reveals himself as Roy, not Aaron. After that sudden outburst, Aaron returns and seems confused as to what just happened. This is the first of three instances in which Roy takes over.
The next instance occurs when Vail is confronting Aaron at prison. Roy comes to life and we can see that he is still extremely verbally aggressive. Not only that, but we see Roy become physically aggressive too during this scene. Roy explains that he takes over whenever Aaron is being too “weak”. He continues to pour insults on Aaron’s character of which he disapproves of greatly. The psychiatrist witnesses this scene and tells Vail later that Aaron has dissociative identity disorder. It is then suggested that Aaron created another “self”, Roy, as a sort of protective measure against his previously abusive father.
Martin Vail: The Journey from Ambition to Empathy
Vail's character starts with traits of narcissism, evident in his self-assured demeanor and pursuit of fame. However, as he delves deeper into Aaron's case, he begins to grapple with the ethical dimensions of his profession. Vail's interactions with Aaron, combined with the shocking revelations about the abuse Aaron endured, catalyze a transformation in Vail. He evolves from a self-centered lawyer to someone who genuinely seeks justice and understands the profound impact of trauma on an individual's psyche.
Martin Vail's personality can be characterized as a mix of confidence, arrogance, and vulnerability. He is a self-assured and charismatic individual who is well-versed in the legal system and is not afraid to take on high-profile cases. This confidence stems from his exceptional legal skills and his ability to connect with his clients, often using his charm and wit to win their trust.
However, beneath this façade of confidence lies a deeper sense of vulnerability and insecurity. Vail's past is marked by a troubled relationship with his ex-lover and former colleague, Janet Venable, which has left emotional scars. His constant need to prove himself and his abilities may be a coping mechanism for these unresolved feelings.
Vail employs several defense mechanisms to cope with his emotional pain and maintain his sense of self-worth. One of these mechanisms is his tendency to belittle and mock those around him, particularly Janet Venable. This behavior serves as a way to assert his dominance and maintain control in situations where he feels threatened or vulnerable.
Another defense mechanism Vail uses is his overconfidence and arrogance. By presenting himself as invincible and unbeatable, he creates a sense of security and stability, which helps him cope with the uncertainty and chaos that surrounds him. This overconfidence also allows him to maintain a sense of detachment from the emotional turmoil that the case brings, which helps him avoid confronting his own vulnerabilities.
The Insanity Plea
The film delves into the use of the insanity plea, a legal defense arguing that the defendant was unable to understand the nature of the crime due to a severe mental disorder. In Aaron's case, his DID is used to assert that he was not in control during the murder. The plea's success hinges on convincing the court of Aaron's psychological incapacity.
The film's climax delivers a shocking psychological twist. After successfully using the insanity plea to secure Aaron’s acquittal, Vail discovers that Aaron’s DID was a façade. Roy reveals that he was the dominant personality all along and that the meek Aaron was an act. This revelation reframes the entire narrative, leaving Vail and the audience grappling with the implications of deception and the true nature of insanity.
Primal Fear draws glaring attention to how we should exercise the utmost caution when dealing with criminal cases, and especially those claiming to have a mental disorder. For one, the psychiatrist was too quick to claim in court that Aaron was suffering from multiple personality disorder. In fact, she admitted that she was not an expert in this disorder. Here, we can observe a major problem where a non-expert of a specific mental disorder has “diagnosed” a patient for that very disorder in which they do not possess the expert knowledge for. If this is exercised in real life trials, the consequences could potentially be of the most extreme severity.
Conclusion
Through the psychological analysis of Aaron Stampler and Martin Vail, the film delves into the depths of Dissociative Identity Disorder, the ethical complexities of the insanity plea, and the transformative journey from ambition to empathy. Aaron Stampler's character in "Primal Fear" serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for criminals to fake mental illness to avoid punishment. His manipulation of the legal system and lack of empathy highlight the importance of thorough psychological evaluation and expert testimony in criminal cases involving claims of mental illness. It challenges viewers to consider the profound impact of trauma, the moral dimensions of legal defenses, and the essential role of empathy and understanding in the pursuit of justice.
Author- Ipshita Adarsh, Editor - Anushka Aiyer