Analysis Of The Film Fatal Attraction

Part A: Symptoms and Diagnoses

When most people hear the name Alex Forrest, the first thing that comes to mind is a psychopath who cannot get over a breakup. The actuality is that this “antagonist” of the 1987 film Fatal Attraction is not an insane villain, but rather a person who suffers from a mental illness. Alex never receives an official diagnosis in the film, but there are several possible diagnoses that can be made. Some of the symptoms she displays are listed in the diagnostic criteria for Adjustment Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder.

To meet the diagnostic criteria for an adjustment disorder, an individual must show emotional or behavioural symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor, and these symptoms must occur within three months after the onset of the stressor. These symptoms must be out of proportion to the severity or intensity of the stressor and must significantly impair the individual’s social or

The antisocial behaviour often begins in early adolescence or childhood and continues into their adult life (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Alex shows a disregard for social norms by engaging in an affair with a married man, and later by stalking the same man and performing actions that would be grounds for arrest. She kills his child’s pet rabbit, pours acid on his car, and even kidnaps his child. She is irritable and aggressive towards Dan, and even towards Mrs. Gallagher at the end of the film when she attacks her in the bathroom of the Gallaghers’ home. The vicious attack proves that she has little regard for her own safety and the safety of others. She also shows no remorse for the hurt she causes Dan and his