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The Boy and the Heron, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is a Studio Ghibli movie that came out in 2023, but I just got around to watching it recently. Although I am a big fan of fantasy films and of complex and thought-provoking stories and symbolism, I must admit that I felt quite lost throughout most of the movie!
The viewer is very quickly taken down a deep and winding rabbit hole into a world where the rules of reality are completely left behind. Some of the creatures that inhabit this land are given a little context, but the otherworldly settings where the majority of the story takes place, the rules that govern them, and the nature of the important figures that live there remain shrouded in mystery. If you’re happy to be taken along on a mystical ride (that also has a very abrupt ending!), then sit back and let the whole experience wash over you, but don’t try to take it too seriously or work out its puzzles as you go, or else your head will likely be left spinning!
Since watching the film, I have read more about it in an attempt to understand it better. Apparently, the film draws inspiration from Miyazaki’s own life experiences and also continues his efforts to express his belief in the power of children to create a better future. The film’s Wikipedia page has the following to say in relation to the film’s theme(s):
The film, open to diverse interpretations, fundamentally conveys resilience in the face of conflict and grief, while advocating for the cultivation of meaningful friendships and trustworthy alliances, ultimately promoting progress and fostering "humanity and understanding to the world."
After thoughtful analysis, many film critics and publications have expressed different interpretations of the themes in the film, but for general audiences it might be a bit bewildering, especially when compared with other Studio Ghibli films that are more straightforward or contain more familiar messages or symbols.
In the end, although I enjoyed the mysterious world of The Boy and the Heron and the strange creatures that inhabit it, I felt that there were deeply personal and cultural elements in the film that prevented me from fully understanding its meaning.
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