My project is a video essay on dissociative identity disorder and how it’s portrayed in media. For my sources I used the textbook, History of Dissociative Identity Disorder by Hassan Tohid and Ian Hunter Rutkofsky. The book is a comprehensive guide to understanding the disorder and goes over psychiatry, diagnoses, and treatment for DID. I also watched the Netflix documentary, Monsters Inside: The 24 Faces of Billy Milligan, which allowed me to study a real case of DID that was highly publicized in the 1970’s due to the crimes committed by an individual known to have DID. I also looked at two movies, Split, by director M. Night Shyamalan and Moon Knight. Split came out in 2016, presented by Universal Pictures. It’s a psychological thriller that follows the story of a man with DID who has 23 different personalities residing within him. In this film, the audience enters the terrifying world of our protagonist, known originally as the Unit, Kevin Wendell Crumb, and then known by many distinct alters, or multiple personalities.

 

Moon knight if the main form of media I chose to research for my Digital Multimodal Project. It’s a show released by Marvel Studios, consisting of six episodes within the first season. The protagonist is a kindhearted, slightly confused, British man named Steven Grant who has dissociative identity disorder and an alter ego by the name of Marc Spector. Marc is completely different than Steven, he’s a former marine, mercenary, and CIA operative who becomes a crime fighting vigilante called Moon Knight. Marc was on death’s door when he was given the opportunity to be resurrected by an Egyptian God, Khonshu.

 

However, not everything’s what it seems, and Steven/Marc must unravel the truth about their fractured psyche. They must discover their identity and origins together against all odds. I wanted to watch this show to see if it portrays a accurate representation of Dissociative Identity Disorder, especially considering most films have not been able to do that for the community and often stigmatized them instead. DID is seen as a demonized, monstrous, mental illness that is an agent of chaos, destruction, and danger.

 

For my project, the goal is to create a YouTube channel where I explore this topic and many other movies and shows. I love learning about psychology, philosophy, film making, and acting as I am an aspiring actress!

I am interested in content creation, video essays in particular, because I would like to build a safe community for people who have similar interests and ambitions. I hope to share the things I learn about through research and observations with anyone who would like to learn more with me!

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My intended target audience is people who love movies and trying to discover the deeper meanings within them and obviously people who love watching YouTube video essays. The following writing includes some of my research as well as my YouTube Video essay writing. With this, my goal is to inform, educate, and entertain my audience. I will use an informal tone at times throughout the videos so that I can show the audience my personality and almost speak to them like they are my friends. I want to be relatable to them and authentic to myself. I want to share information in an interesting way that might motivate my viewers to want to investigate the topics I talk about on their own and promote further research and curiosity.

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In addition to viewing all six episodes of Moon Knight and watching the Billy Milligan Documentary and Split, I also read reviews on multiple popular article sites to see what the audience is saying about the films already and if they believe they are good or bad. I’d like to see multiple perspectives on the topic I’m speaking about before writing my scripts because I might learn somethings that I never considered or thought about on my own.

 

I will start of this article by sharing more information on DID.

 

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a complex condition where individuals have multiple personalities.

In the video essay, I will focus on dissociative identity disorder, not the MCU, as I’m not an expert in that area. I’m not deeply familiar with the MCU; I didn’t grow up with it or follow it closely like some fans do.

I want to explore DID through the lens of cinema, particularly using Moon Knight as an example. I’ll be delving into the moral dilemmas within the characters and discussing the complexities of Mark, Steven, and Khonshu.

Many cinematic heroes have troubled pasts, grappling with trauma and striving to do better. They face though choices about how to respond to adversity or abuse. This highlights the power of choice even in challenging circumstances.

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In all honesty, at the beginning of my research, I was skeptical about dissociative identity disorder due to the lack of research and some fictionalized portrayals.

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I now know that this skepticism leads to real sufferers feeling silenced and misunderstood. As I delved deeper into my project, I started to believe in their experiences and the complexity of DID. Mental illness is not something to be taken lighthearted and after I learned more about DID through reading the textbook, I realized there’s much more at play than mere fabrication. People don’t adopt multiple personas without reason; it’s often a survival strategy born from underlying issues. Survival strategies can be seen as dramatic, but they aren’t unique to DID. Many of us develop coping mechanisms to navigate challenges and protect ourselves from harm or judgement, even if they are displayed in different ways.

Sometimes, the only way forward is to explore new mental pathways and break harmful habits. It’s about reshaping our thinking and finding healthier ways to cope. My mom always told me that change is a constant in life and embracing it can be difficult but it’s necessary for growth and you can’t run away from it.

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In DID we encounter a myriad of characters, or “alters”, each with their distinct personas and capabilities. These alters possess unique ways of thinking, speaking, and acting, along with strengths that set them apart.

When focusing on intellect and physical strength embodied by Steven and Marc in Moon Knight, Steven arguably has more intellect when it comes to book smarts and Marc is better at dealing with social situations. As stated earlier, Marc is good at fighting and is trained to fight against any danger that crosses his path, while Steven isn’t so great in physical situations that require fast reflexes and highly athletic abilities.

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The case of Billy Milligan serves as a prime example that prompts questions regarding the authenticity of alters. Are they genuinely distinct entities, each with their own intelligence, or are they manifestations of a complex psychological mechanism? According to research, alters play specific roles, adapting to fulfill their needs and desires, often shaped by profound traumas etched into their psyche.

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Bringing this back to Moon Knight, Marc and Stephen, work alongside another character introduced later named Khonshu. Khonshu is distinct from the alters, unlike them, he operates as an agent who is perhaps influenced by a deeper psychological construct in Marc and Steven.

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It’s conceivable that Khonshu emerged as a response to witnessing or opposing certain actions, serving to perpetuate or mitigate crimes. He’s portrayed as a tangible entity with followers, it raises intriguing questions about the nature of belief systems within this universe and the individuals who adhere to them.

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Oscar Isaac, who plays main characters Steven and Marc, is known for his amazing performance in this role regardless of opinions on the plot of dialogue. His performance consistently captivates audiences, showcasing his talent as an actor. I’ve never seen him in other cinema, but I was extremely impressed by his ability to take the viewer into his character’s world and making everything believable.

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In the last few episodes of the season, the plot dives into themes of reality and self-awareness within Moon Knight. Examining the significance of the psych ward hospital setting that Steven and Marc find themselves in, I initially thought it was a bit cliché. I thought it was the show writer’s way of tricking the audience last minute and saying that none of Marc of Steven’s adventures were real. Instead, it serves a deeper purpose, tying into the show’s exploration of Egyptian mythology and the afterlife. This unique approach not only engages viewers but also sparks curiosity about Egyptian mythology among those unfamiliar with it, it reignited. My interest in the show and the treatment of DID patients who are in hospitals.

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In DID treatment, professionals like doctors, psychologists, and therapists often aim to help these different personalities integrate. A notable case featured in a Netflix documentary, "The Monsters Inside: The 24 Faces of Billy Milligan," showcased a man with 24 distinct personalities. This is sometimes called “fusion”; however, it is not a healthy or safe option for the person suffering from the disorder. According to the textbook, the focus of DID therapy is to foster cooperation and understanding among all the personalities within the individual, referred to as the unit. This involves teaching them to collaborate and support the person suffering from DID.

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Living with DID is immensely challenging, as individuals struggle to navigate their reality, leading to the emergence of multiple personalities. It's very important to recognize that merging all the personalities into one isn't feasible since each alter serves a purpose and is an integral part of the host.

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Alters aren't consciously chosen or created; they emerge for reasons rooted in the individual's experiences and struggles. Understanding and addressing mental illness involves recognizing its underlying causes and complexities. In the case of DID, each alter represents a facet of the individual's psyche, formed in response to their experiences.

I thought there could have been more intimate moments of emotional turmoil and panic attacks in the story, which might have added depth. However, it's possible these were left out because they didn't align with the character's personality or the pace of the plot. Not every character needs to wear their emotions on their sleeve, but for Steven, who's seen as more vulnerable I thought it might fit into the story. While he did display pain in some scenes, it felt less dramatic than real life. For those dealing with mental health issues, this kind of scene could potentially enhance relatability, depending on the viewers perspective.

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The following is now getting into the script I’ve written for my video essay:

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Digging a little deeper into specific scenes, I think an analysis of the first scene is a good place to start. This scene sets the story up and invites the audience into the show’s universe.

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Steven wakes up in his bed and unbinds himself from his ankle shackle. He steps onto a mat at the end of his bed to avoid getting too much sand on his feet. He has a plethora of locks on his front door and a strip of blue tape which is strange and off-putting, it was put there by him to ensure he doesn’t leave in the night. He calls his mother and starts talking about his goldfish.

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Since the name of this episode is “The goldfish problem” I very closely observed this scene. Setting up a storyline and introducing the main character, usually leaves space for foreshadowing or deeper meanings being represented through re-occurring symbolism.  

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The character is said to live with dissociative identity disorder so it’s likely a lot of viewers may associate the goldfish with short term memory.

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But from what I gathered, I believe it’s about, not only Steven’s mind but also his physical ailments and living situation, as there is only one small fish in a very large tank. The fish swims aimlessly around all alone and as we heard him state, the fish only has one fin and has trouble swimming.

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This reminds me of a well-known quote from the movie “Finding Nemo”, when Dory says, “Just keep swimming” in reference to having a positive outlook no matter the difficulty presented in a certain predicament. It means that everything will be okay moving forward. She also suffers from amnesia. She has short term memory loss and is a prominent character in most people’s minds. Finding Nemo is also from the Disney family, just like Moon Knight, which is exclusive to Disney+.

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In addition to this, Goldfish in tanks are observed by people, even in dentists, doctors’ offices, and restaurants. If Stevens goldfish represents himself, maybe it’s a bigger social commentary on how people with DID are often seen by mental health physicians and a large portion of society, as people who need extra care, attention, and eyes on them to ensure they are safe and able to take care of themselves. This isn’t even just a DID occurrence but something that happens with anyone who has mental illness or acts different from the “norm”. Perhaps Steven feels like a pet being watched by the public when he gets into scuffles with his boss, his co-workers, and law enforcement.

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I don’t believe Steven wants to be completely isolated. This is proven to me after he arrives home looking defeated after missing a date with a girl that he couldn’t remember asking out. This scene was a good use of the rhetorical appeal “pathos” as it makes the viewer feel sad for the character which can create a deeper sense of connection and longing for his success and happiness as the episode progresses. 

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throughout the episode we see that Steven has no real social interaction, he talks to a statue, his fish, and even his own mother doesn’t return his calls or pick up the phone. This is most likely due to his inability to retain a consistent and stable relationship with others, let alone a healthy relationship with himself as he is confused and always struggling both internally and externally.

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But these are all just theories I’ve thought of to help explain the episode’s name and purpose of showing his pet goldfish Gus, so what I’ve said about the goldfish’s signification is not a fact; but what do you think the goldfish represents? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments.

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According to an article published by Indiana University Bloomington, “Goldfish memory Syndrome, in which a person easily loses their thoughts and forgets things, isn’t a real thing. Nevertheless, this expression still lives on, even though the studies presented suggest it’s a myth.”

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I agree with this assessment in addition to my original thoughts and in the next scene, the audience gets to see how Steven may not be the best at understanding conventional behavior in social situations. It shows that he doesn’t have a shoulder to lay on in the bigger picture of his life but also literally in this scene where he’s exhausted and accidentally slumps onto a stranger on the bus who shrugs him away. He also looks at a woman’s paper and has to apologize for the intrusion of her space and privacy.

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According to the textbook, people who have DID need to meet the criteria of having “symptoms that cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.” They also must meet the criteria for having “recurrent gaps in the recall of everyday events, important personal information, and/or traumatic events that are inconsistent with ordinary forgetting. These two requirements for DID are very present in Steven Grant’s life and all that analysis comes from only the first 8 minutes! This show is jam-packed with dialogue that accurately represents and mimics experiences potentially had by real people.

 

Obviously, this is a very jarring experience for Steven to wake up to and he’s completely in the dark about how and why he’s there. Pretty soon he must run and fight people he’s never met and witness the death of a harmless old woman in a strange almost cult like ritual. – In the next scene, he wakes up and laughs finding out it was all a dream.

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Just to quickly run through the rest of the episode, Steven is at his house talking to his fish, Gus again. When he sees a panel on his apartment wall out of place he gets into the wall and finds a storage unit key and a burner phone. On the phone he sees a bunch of missed calls from someone called Layla. He has no idea who she is, but she says she knows him and calls him Marc. Layla sounds fed up and frustrated, so she hangs up the phone. Then a voice calls for Marc and he walks into his bathroom, only to be met by his reflection. He sighs in relief before seeing that his reflection has a mind of its own. The mirror version of Steven starts talking to him which obviously makes him feel like he is crazy, but he doesn’t have time to think about it because chaos ensues and he runs out of his apartment, only to be rattled more and followed by a large Egyptian god. He is followed by the Monster all over town and ends up seeing it on his way to work. There he sees a man who’s been following him. The man is threatening and talks about a lot of things that Steven has no clue of. He manages to run away but on his night shift, he hears sounds and is then chased around the museum by a killer monster. After being chased into the bathroom, Steven sees his reflection, presumably named Mark, and Mark offers to save them. So, he switches bodies with Mark and defeats the monster by the end of the episode. Suddenly he is seen wearing a Cape and Having immense strength. He no longer fears his surroundings and anything that comes for him because he's able to win against them.

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When looking at the textbook, the key criteria necessary to having DID is:

“Disruption of Identity characterized by two or more distinct personality states may be described in some cultures as possession. The disruption in identity involves marked discontinuity in sense of self and sense of agency, accompanied by related alterations in affect, behavior, consciousness, memory, cognition, and/or sensory-motor functioning. These signs and symptoms may be observed by others or reported by the individual.”

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 By the end of the episode, steven suffers from dissociative identity disorder. The audience is left with a cliffhanger that is meant to keep them coming back for more, for me it did the trick, and I will probably be reviewing episode 2, called “Summon the Suit”, so let me know if you’d like to see that from me.

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If you liked this video go ahead and press the like button and subscribe for more. Feel free to offer suggestions in the comments about what you thought about this episode or the statements I made.

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What was your favorite part? What do you think could have been done better if anything? I’d love to hear other people’s opinions as I am hoping to create a safe community where we can all learn from each other.

From watching Moon Knight, I also realized that it shows the audience that we are all dealing with different things, difficult things, and they are worth learning about and understanding.

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If you’d like to learn more and see the sources I’ve used for the Video Essay, I have linked them below the video in the about section!

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Moon knight (Show):

https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-330062c7-20c5-45e1-b6c5-e1e096055d75

 

Split (Movie):

https://www.netflix.com/title/80124506

 

Monsters Inside: The 24 Faces of Billy Milligan (Documentary):

https://www.netflix.com/title/81006619

 

History of Dissociative Identity Disorder (Textbook)

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-39854-4