MAIN CHARACTER’S POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN THE MOVIE OF MANCHESTER BY THE SEA

Abstract

This study examines the main character’s Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Kenneth Lonergan’s film Manchester by the Sea (2016), focusing on Lee Chandler’s psychological symptoms and personality traits before and after his traumatic experience. Using the diagnostic framework of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR, 2022) and McCrae and Costa’s Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality, the research employs a descriptive qualitative method. The primary data are derived from the film’s dialogues, scenes, and script, while secondary sources include scholarly books and journals on PTSD and personality theories. The findings reveal that Lee displays several PTSD criteria, such as intrusive memories, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and heightened arousal, which manifest in his flashbacks, emotional detachment, and social withdrawal. Furthermore, the study identifies significant changes in his personality: before the trauma, Lee demonstrates openness, conscientiousness, and social connectedness, but afterward, his traits shift toward heightened neuroticism, reduced extraversion, and diminished agreeableness. This research contributes to the field of literary studies by illustrating how psychological theories can be applied in film analysis, highlighting the impact of trauma on human behavior and personality, and fostering greater awareness of mental health through cinematic representation.