Achieving The Essence: A Sartrean Analysis of The Bad Faith in Soul (2020) Film

Authors

  • Tesalonika Putri Gracia Tumiwa MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
  • Belinda Angela Suawah MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
  • Carissa Florenze Isabelle Warouw MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
  • Justin Tio Manuel Hutapea MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
  • Joana Alesha Shaina Kapitan MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Keywords:

Sartrean Existentialism, Existential Crisis, Life Purpose, Soul (2020), Essence

Abstract

This study aims to address the quarter-life crisis issue among the youth, which is found in the film Soul (2020), through the lens of Sartrean existentialism. This analysis involves a qualitative method, cinematography, and semiotics approach. A qualitative method and semiotics approach is used to examine symbolic meanings in the film from the dialogues, the body language, and facial expressions. Whilst the cinematography is used to examine the film deeper by analyzing the camera works, background, lighting, and color scheme. As a result: 1) Joe’s beliefs in a predetermined purpose and 22’s obsession in quest instead of making their own meaning and purpose serves as a symbolic representation of bad faith. 2) Joe and 22 believed that the “spark,” which every soul receives before they can go to earth, is a soul’s purpose. But one of the Jerry’s later explains that the “spark,” is not a soul’s purpose but rather the willingness to live. This reflects Sartre’s idea that humans do not inherit a predetermined purpose. 3) Existing and truly experiencing life helped Joe and 22 realize that human beings do not have a predetermined purpose, instead they have the freedom to create their own meaning and purpose. At its core, this paper argues that the film Soul (2020) has successfully portrayed the existential anxiety that emerges among the youth, while also providing an awareness and suggestion for them to find their own purpose in life instead of waiting for it. The significance of this paper is to spread awareness, especially among the youth, on how waiting until the purpose in life comes by itself plays a crucial role in experiencing an unstable mental health. 

References

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Camus, A. (1991). The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays (J. O'Brien, Trans.). Vintage International. (Original work published 1942).

Docter, P. (Director), & Powers, K. (Co-director). (2020). Soul (Film). Pixar Animation Studios; Walt Disney Pictures.

Hasyim, M., et al. (2024). Factors contributing to quarter life crisis on early adulthood: A systematic literature review. Journal of Public Health Research. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10771792/

Sartre, J-P. (1943). Being And Nothingness (H. E. Barnes, Trans.). Philosophical Library. https://ia801504.us.archive.org/14/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.69160/2015.69160.Jean-paul-Sartre-Being-And-Nothingness.pdf

Sartre, J-P. (1946). Existentialism is a Humanism (C. Macomber, Trans.). Yale University Press. https://nnty.fun/downloads/books/pantopia_library/files/Jean%20Paul%20Sartre%20-%20Existentialism%20Is%20a%20Humanism.pdf

Sartre, J.-P. (1964). Nausea (L. Alexander, Trans.). New Directions. (Original work published 1938).

The Holy Bible: New International Version. (2011). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/

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Published

2026-08-31

How to Cite

Tumiwa, T. P. G., Suawah, B. A., Warouw, C. F. I., Hutapea, J. T. M., & Kapitan, J. A. S. (2026). Achieving The Essence: A Sartrean Analysis of The Bad Faith in Soul (2020) Film. Boanerges: Makarios Education Journal, 4(1), 41–55. Retrieved from https://streamfly.tech/index.php/boanerges/article/view/57

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): BOANERGES

Section

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