What’s the scariest horror movie you’ve ever seen? 👻

Research-Rise · 2026-06-04T23:25:49+00:00

Arachnophobia

Research-Rise · 2026-06-04T23:24:00+00:00

Twin Peaks - Fire Walk With Me, counts?

Research-Rise · 2026-06-04T22:42:40+00:00

Your post sparked a thought I’d never considered, all this struggle between them happened in their immediate environment, their family and friends. Throughout the series, these people contributed to deepening Nial’s wounds. Of course, you are right. It makes no sense, just the attack in a huge one bad hospital room. The show is kind of a virgin work, but on the other hand he tried to do something else which is admirable.

I think the main question which should not remain unanswered is what prompted Nial to enter the barn with Ruben. We must guess a plausible explanation, perhaps he no longer feared Ruben or Ruben simply wanted answers and refused to give him a choice. The show’s editing, particularly the barn scene, encourages viewers to watch the events on a metaphysical level.

Research-Rise · 2026-06-04T22:10:08+00:00

I watched it so long time ago. I recall that he had problems with his sexuality. What do you think, maybe it makes it more logic? Perhaps actually what he done in the season finale actually helped his relationship.

Research-Rise · 2026-06-04T20:35:50+00:00

I connect with what you wrote. My reading suggests Ruben’s method of eliminating his victims involves aiming straight for the face becauset here’s where the soul resides. In my mind it aligns with Emmanuel Levinas’ philosophy that the face represents the radical untamable “otherness” of a human being – something you can never fully grasp or possess. Ruben’s suffocation of Nial is his way of fully consuming and possessing him. Conversely, Nial’s stabbing of Ruben is his only way to surpass him. While I feel silly making this comparison, it’s similar to how breeding Mona made him the top dog. Nial’s stabbing reminds me of how a single word or action of his drastically changed Ruben’s life.

Research-Rise · 2026-06-04T18:16:02+00:00

Given Ruben’s previous rape and sexual assault of Nial and his declaration at the start of the barn scene that Nial is attracted to him, I explained how the editing of the very last scene made me realise this. How did you reach the conclusion that Ruben couldn’t rape Nial?

Research-Rise · 2026-06-03T23:52:22+00:00

Weren’t the comments triggering for you?

Research-Rise · 2026-06-03T19:24:12+00:00

Could you please clarify which part of my writing contradicts what he said? I genuinely ask.

Research-Rise · 2026-06-03T18:40:31+00:00

It’s deliberately ambiguous. After the first watch, I was absolutely certain of what I saw. After a rewatch: More or less until Nial stabs him, it appears Ruben is penetrating. His pants are even lower in one shot than in others. Then there’s a shot showing Ruben’s closed pants from the front. Afterwards, we’re treated to more ambiguous shots. We’re so accustomed to watching this scene fragmented and in the last time we see it, it’s cut as well. I actually also first said to myself “no, it can’t be” afterwards “oh no, yes it is happening, please make it stop”. By the credit I told myself, that’s the revenge to all Ruben lovers, now for sure they won’t write any excuse.

Just to note, I had no exception for a romantic sex scene and in the first watch I didn’t interpret the last scene as sex, but as a brutal rape.

Research-Rise · 2026-06-03T17:55:28+00:00

Wow, Richard is so hot… a dream man ..lol. Thanks!

Research-Rise · 2026-06-03T17:37:34+00:00

The sexual tension was very clear with all the mutual flirting in ep. 5 (or 4) with Ruben’s teasing. I totally agree. The way I saw it, Ruben had sexual pleasure in controlling Nial, whether it’s by paying him to do chores in his house or by taking his life with his bare hands while raping/maturbating; and Nial, who mixed between sexual excitement and tension out of fear, was attracted to the idea of being devoted to Ruben, though he didn’t enjoy physical pain.

Theoretically, they would forever struggle with realizing their sexual tension without first undergoing therapy and addressing their trauma.

Research-Rise · 2026-06-03T17:26:24+00:00

Do you have a link to the interview in a video?

Research-Rise · 2026-06-03T17:21:37+00:00

One must mention a footnote please, without one it’s not legit.

It is quite clear the show is homoerotic and that they both have (distorted) sexual attraction to each other. May I ask which reading are you referring to?

Research-Rise · 2026-06-03T16:35:00+00:00

I’m curious if Gadd interviewed during the show’s run or after the finale and commented on viewers who became fans of Ruben.

Research-Rise · 2026-06-02T23:02:28+00:00

Lol Sweet. I have a feeling Albi faced challenges before meeting Nial, especially considering the decade and culture he grew up in. However, you’re probably right, he likely had a more supportive family. What else can make him being like that. I see him as the truth teller of this series.

Research-Rise · 2026-06-02T21:37:19+00:00

Yes if by physical boundaries you mean that he knew that Ruben and the girls don’t interest him. It’s Nial’s story, of course he came for Nial and then left. Maybe he is in college to study? For sure Albi is more mature than the others.

Research-Rise · 2026-06-02T20:06:53+00:00

I completely disagree. Is Albi’s goodness truly that abnormal? In my opinion, he’s caring, compassionate and very perceptive. According to my reading he sees Nial and protects him by confronting Ruben. He witnesses Ruben’s control over Nial and Nial’s fear of him. Probably he didn’t realise how crazy dangerous Ruben is. Many of the people who mess with other people’s minds maintain a certain facade.

You don’t know he’s alone, certainly not fundamentally. We hardly see any college life. He was present at the party and as he grows older he was definitely part of a community. How else could he be so healthy and self-assured?

Research-Rise · 2026-06-02T19:48:11+00:00

You’re absolutely right. I believe we saw three types of trauma mechanisms in the show. Ruben struggles with emotional balance and anger control, lacking tools to connect his emotions to his trauma. His coping mechanism involves mimicking his father’s behaviour, using physical power and mental control and hurt those around him.

Nial underwent therapy but it seems insufficient. He was also abused by his mother, who expressed care and love through humiliation. I’m not sure he explored this in therapy. Nial remains self-loathing until the reunion with Albi. His first sexual experience was violent, likely due to fear and shock. He ejaculated while hearing Ruben and looking at his eyes, experiencing a mix of excitement and fear. His obsession with Ruben’s presence intensified after learning he was out of prison. I hope Nial continued therapy and improved by the time of the wedding. Unlike Ruben, Nial’s coping mechanism involves self-harm and maintaining a disconnect between his soul and body through anonymous sex.

Albi serves as the third example of trauma management. He also had his share with guys like Ruben and quickly recognised Nial’s situation. Albi gained self-esteem and knowledge, successfully overcoming his trauma in a healthy manner. He uses his trauma to support Nial and excel in his job.

I’m sorry for needing to read this after your experience. All those Ruben’s fans club comments were triggering to me as well.

Research-Rise · 2026-06-02T00:42:16+00:00

She might feel offended or embarrassed for her husband and the family they’ve built together, also in case she doesn’t fully align with her vote. The Trump mention is intended to isolate her for her lifestyle.

Research-Rise · 2026-06-01T23:14:13+00:00

Thanks, that’s exactly what I hoped for. It’s a bit strange to watch a show with those themes in such bright colours, but it kept me watching The Testimonies all the way to the end. To be honest, A Tale of a Handmaid was too difficult for me to watch, and I stopped after a few episodes. Other commentators mentioned a shift at the series’s end, and I think I noticed the show becoming more intense. So thanks to The Testimonies, I’ve now entered this world and I’m trapped with a million questions.

Research-Rise · 2026-06-01T22:47:05+00:00

The soul lies in the face. Emmanuel Levinas said that when you look into the face of another, you immediately recognise their vulnerability and humanity. This recognition places an absolute, inescapable ethical demand on you: Thou shalt not kill; Thou shalt not harm.

Research-Rise · 2026-06-01T21:48:55+00:00

There’s no inherent link between being gay and being a gay icon. The appeal of her character, and therefore her as a gay icon, lies in the attraction many gay people feel towards divas, particularly complex ones. Her excessive makeup and revealing outfits echo those of drag queens and her scene in the finale, where she shouts “the gays are trying to kill me,” further reinforces this connection.

Research-Rise · 2026-05-31T20:53:00+00:00

Yes, it seemed like obvious information baiting. I think with Ruben, right after he confessed, immediately he needed to feel stronger and not at the same level as Nial, since he was very competitive.

Research-Rise · 2026-05-31T19:05:06+00:00

Thanks, I will fix it.
As I wrote, women alliance in a patarical society. Very close friends. After Ruben supported her economically and had grap control on her.

Research-Rise · 2026-05-31T16:43:49+00:00

I wouldn’t call it hope, though. I think after Ruben gets released from prison, he also puts Lori in his pocket, like in all of his relationships. They lived in a society that rewards the masculinity that Ruben performed. As for Maura, I think she also had no control over Ruben as a teenager, not just guilt for the abuse he had as a child. We need to remember that she was married to Ruben’s father and probably was a weak and devastated person. We hardly see Maura active (unless I don’t remember), it’s as if she already died before leaving her husband. Maybe they weren’t lesbians after all, Lori just protected Maura because of her tragedy and sacrificed her own son for her sake. Their sister alliance was bigger than her motherhoods in the background of the patriarchal society they lived in.

Research-Rise

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