INTERGENERATIONAL CONFLICT AND PARENTING ANXIETY: PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESENTATION IN HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2

Abstract

The current research paper examines the psychological modeling of the intergenerational conflict and parenting anxiety within the animated film Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015) which is directed by Genndy Tartakovsky. Based on the attachment theory developed by John Bowlby, which is used as the main theoretical backbone of the study, supplemented by the intergenerational transmission of attachment model, the qualitative thematic analysis of the main narrative moments and visual elements allows unravelling the ways these dynamics manifest themselves in a family of a hybrid monster-human. The storyline is built around Count Dracula becoming anxious in his over-protectiveness toward his grandson Dennis- a half-vampire, half-human child, whose tardiness in becoming a vampire brings about a sense of a legacy being lost and identity being eroded. This is anxiety based on the unresolved trauma of Dracula as it is expressed in dominating behavior that is inconsistent with the balanced approach to parenting exhibited by his daughter Mavis. Value discordances and insecure attachment transmission are emphasized in scenes like the monster training boot camp, lullaby distractions and climactic conflicts. Results indicate that the film is optimistic on the role of breaking anxious cycles through empathy and acceptance and provides the understanding of family resilience and the implication on therapeutic discourse on attachment processes.