THEME EXPLORATION

orphaned protagonist

23 films · 3 directors

Tracing the thread…

FILMS THAT EXPLORE THIS
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Bourne Ultimatum
2007 · Paul Greengrass
Shrek
Shrek
2001 · Andrew Adamson & Vicky Jenson
Tapage Nocturne
Tapage Nocturne
1979 · Catherine Breillat
Whiskey with Vodka
Whiskey with Vodka
2009 · Andreas Dresen
Hellboy
Hellboy
2004 · Guillermo del Toro
Rear Window
Rear Window
1954 · Alfred Hitchcock
Anybody Here Seen Kelly?
Anybody Here Seen Kelly?
1928 · William Wyler
A Woman’s Story
A Woman’s Story
1963 · Mikio Naruse
Come Drink With Me
Come Drink With Me
1966 · King Hu
Follow the Star
Follow the Star
1978 · John Woo
Glumov's Diary
Glumov's Diary
1923 · Sergei Eisenstein
Her Alibi
Her Alibi
1989 · Bruce Beresford
The Earth Dies Screaming
The Earth Dies Screaming
1964 · Terence Fisher
Tom Cat Holmes and the Twilight Hotel
Tom Cat Holmes and the Twilight Hotel
1998 · Nobuhiko Obayashi
Do You Like Hitchcock?
Do You Like Hitchcock?
2005 · Dario Argento
The Frighteners
The Frighteners
1996 · Peter Jackson
Blind Fury
Blind Fury
1989 · Phillip Noyce
Come... Kiss... Finished!
Come... Kiss... Finished!
1986 · Yannis Dalianidis
Days of Inspector Ambrosio
Days of Inspector Ambrosio
1988 · Sergio Corbucci
Hellboy
Hellboy
2019 · Neil Marshall
Spiritual Fists
Spiritual Fists
1975 · Chang Cheh
Fright Night
Fright Night
2011 · Craig Gillespie
Ju-on: The Grudge
Ju-on: The Grudge
2002 · Takashi Shimizu
DIRECTORS WHO EXPLORE THIS
Hayao Miyazaki Japan

His films frequently feature orphaned protagonists (Chihiro, Ashitaka, Sophie) who must navigate magical worlds and discover inner strength through loss and isolation.

 François Truffaut France

His semi-autobiographical work, particularly 'The 400 Blows,' deeply explores childhood abandonment and how orphaned or neglected protagonists struggle to find belonging.

 Guillermo del Toro Mexico

His films ('Pan's Labyrinth,' 'The Shape of Water') consistently center orphaned or isolated protagonists who find refuge and magic in dark, fantastical worlds.