Spiral: A Screenplay and Gender Analysis of the Fracture in Modern Masculinity

open_access
Open Access
Author:
Nevryanskiy, Mitchel
Area of Honors:
Communication Arts and Sciences
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Michele Ramsey, Thesis Supervisor
Sandy Feinstein, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
drama
screenplay
spiral
masculinity
politics
therapy
psychology
communications
Abstract:
The film Spiral follows the interconnected lives of three male characters: Boris Radvonovsky, a Russian oligarch; Illya, a young Ukrainian American; and Bob, a New York City psychologist. Drawing on scholarship in gender communication, contemporary masculinity studies, and research on masculinity threat and violence, this analysis examines how traditional and contemporary forms of masculinity coexist, intersect, and sometimes clash, often producing destructive consequences. The paper explores the cultural, political, and personal influences that shape these characters’ masculine identities, including Eastern and Western constructions of masculinity, exposure to digital media, and social pressures. Boris embodies Christian-Orthodox hypermasculinity (which I may interchangeably refer to as Orthodox masculinity) linked to nationalism and violence, Illya demonstrates a tension between emotional vulnerability and violent overcompensation, and Bob represents a middle ground incorporating emotional intimacy and problem-solving approaches. Through these character studies, Spiral illustrates the psychological and social costs of rigid masculine norms while highlighting the potential of alternative masculinities to foster emotional well-being and adaptive problem-solving. This analysis underscores the importance of understanding masculinity as a socially constructed, context-dependent spectrum rather than a fixed or universal trait.