'We Need to Talk About Kevin': Natur vs. opvækst

The film We Need to Talk About Kevin is a thought-provoking movie, exploring multiple complex themes such as Nature vs. Nurture, guilt, parenthood, and antisocial behavior. The title itself suggests a sense of urgency and avoidance, as Kevin’s violent tendencies and disturbing behaviors are continually dismissed by those around him. Every time Eva, Kevin's mother, tries to address her concerns about him, she is met with dismissive responses—such as the doctor saying, “I wouldn’t worry about it” or Frankie saying “he’s just a boy” This avoidance ultimately leads to tragic consequences, highlighting the central issue that no one truly wanted to "talk about Kevin" until it was far too late.

Themes of denial and reluctance to face disturbing truths are no doubt prevalent in the movie. But I believe at the core of the movie is there is a different theme: the Nature vs. Nurture debate:

Nature vs Nurture

Can a child be inherently evil, born bad, or are their actions shaped entirely by their environment? While the film doesn't provide easy answers, it offers valuable insights into the complexities of this Question

Antisocial personality disorder

“Antisocial personality disorder is a mental health condition that causes harmful behaviors without remorse. A person might show disrespect toward others and be manipulative”- diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders fifth edition by American Psychiatric Association, better known as DSM-5