Movies & Masculinity

Jonathan Hetterly is a mental health counselor, speaker, writer, and podcaster. In addition to his private practice, he is the co-founder of Quarter Life, a program that helps young men successfully launch and transition into adulthood.As host and creator of Psych Cinema, a weekly YouTube series that analyzes psychological themes in film and television, he actively explores the intersection of pop culture and psychology. Jonathan is also the co-creator and co-host of the Shrink Tank podcast and has contributed to several books like, The Walking Dead Psychology, Star Wars Psychology, and Game of Thrones Psychology. He currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Towards a Better Understanding of Film, Mental Health, and Modern MasculinityFrom the counselor and YouTube star behind Psych Cinema comes a collection of essays examining the representation of masculinity in our society and the movies we know and love.Gender identity meets film theory. The film industry has been a historically male-dominated platform heavily focused on male-centric storytelling. And in an age of #MeToo, #TimesUp, mass shooters, and radical nationalism, the conversation around masculine identity is more recognized than ever. With psychological profiles, cinematic tropes, and in-depth analysis, Movies & Masculinity shares how film influences and shapes the male psyche as much as it represents and mirrors their behavior.Toxic movies or toxic traits? Is your favorite movie protagonist a narcissist? Does he suffer from PTSD? Have the men in film normalized behaviors not generally condoned in society? And what is toxic masculinity exactly? Using examples from classics like Taxi Driver and Fight Club, to modern blockbusters like Black Panther and Midsommar, Movies & Masculinity guides readers through questions like:Can men’s mental health be dangerous to our society?Do films promote or cause real-life violence?How do male gender norms affect women?If you enjoyed books like The Psychology of Superheroes, Batman and Psychology, or Cinematic Sociology, then it’s time to finally explore the male gaze with Movies & Masculinity.