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Jungian Psychology

Anima/Animus

The unconscious feminine aspect in men (anima) or masculine aspect in women (animus) that serves as a bridge to the deeper self.

Jung identified the anima as the unconscious feminine principle in men, and the animus as the unconscious masculine principle in women. These archetypes often appear in dreams and projections as idealized or troubling figures of the opposite sex. The anima/animus serves as a psychopomp — a guide to the unconscious — but can also trap the ego in projection when we mistake an external person for our inner image. In film, anima figures often appear as mysterious women who lead the protagonist into transformation, sometimes to their destruction.

Films Exploring Anima/Animus

Mulholland Drive(2001)

The Blue Key and the Dissolution of Identity

Blade Runner 2049(2017)

The Artificial Soul and the Memory of Being

Her(2013)

The Anima Learns to Leave

Vertigo(1958)

Analysis Coming Soon

Related Concepts

ShadowProjectionIndividuation