The Psychological Process of Grief Experienced by Otto in A Man Called Otto

Abstract

Grief is a complex psychological experience that occurs as a response to significant loss and can influence an individual's emotions, behaviors, and perception of life. This study aims to examine the psychological process of grief experienced by Otto Anderson, the main character in the film A Man Called Otto (2022), directed by Marc Forster. This research applies a descriptive qualitative method with a psychological approach, using Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's Five Stages of Grief theory as the main analytical framework. The data were collected from dialogues, scenes, and visual representations in the film that reflect Otto’s emotional responses and behavioral changes throughout his grieving process. The findings reveal that Otto’s grief develops through five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The denial stage is shown through Otto’s difficulty accepting his wife’s death, while anger appears through his rigid and hostile behavior toward others. Bargaining is represented through memories of his relationship with his wife, Sonya, particularly during his suicide attempts. Depression is reflected through his isolation, hopelessness, and loss of purpose in life. Finally, acceptance emerges as Otto gradually reconnects with others and discovers new meaning in life. This study concludes that grief is a gradual psychological process in which social interaction and emotional support play an important role in helping individuals recover from loss.
Keywords: grief, psychological process, Five Stages of Grief, Kübler-Ross theory, film analysis, A Man Called Otto