AN ANALYSIS OF MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS IN THE MAIN CHARACTER GARY JOHNSON IN HIT MAN (2023) MOVIE BY RICHARD LINKLATER’S
Keywords:
Hierarchy of Needs, Self-Actualization, CreativenessAbstract
This study analyzes the main character’s needs in the movie Hit Man directed by Richard Linklater using Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory. The study focuses on the main character’s needs and the characteristics of self-actualization. The research is based on the interdisciplinary relationship between literature, film, and psychology, particularly humanistic psychology, which emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization. Using the psychology of literature as its framework, this descriptive qualitative study analyzes dialogues, scenes, and character actions from the film. The findings show that Gary Johnson fulfills all levels of Maslow’s hierarchy physiological, safety, love and belonging, and esteem needs allowing him to achieve self-actualization. He also demonstrates several characteristics of self-actualizing individuals, including more efficient perception of reality, acceptance of self, others, and nature, spontaneity and naturalness, creativeness, and resistance to enculturation. Overall, the study shows that Gary Johnson’s development reflects the process of human growth in which fulfilling hierarchical needs leads to self-actualization.
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