Bathos is a rhetorical device that involves an abrupt and often ludicrous transition from a lofty or serious subject or tone to a commonplace or trivial one. It is often used intentionally by filmmakers to create contrast, often for comedic effect or to undercut the seriousness of a situation. It can serve to break the tension, add levity to heavy moments, or highlight the absurdity of a situation.
But it can also be a result of an accident or artistic ineptitude. Popular films are guilty of this, even some in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or Disney. Some film writers may be so concerned with avoiding cheesiness that they mistakenly undermine their drama. They use tolerable humor to keep things from getting “too heavy.” Why be sincere when you can be self-deprecating?
So, is this a clever tool or a surefire way to lose the audience’s attention? Let’s take a look at some examples of bathos used in popular films:
Deadpool (2016): The character Deadpool frequently breaks the fourth wall and employs bathos throughout the film. One notable example is when Deadpool, in the middle of a serious fight scene, stops to address the audience directly about the studio’s budget constraints affecting the number of X-Men characters appearing in the film.
The Thor Series (2011-2022): The first film is the story of an arrogant young man learning what it truly means to be a leader. Sure, there were plenty of comedic moments throughout the film. But over the course of time and multiple sequels, Thor has become less of a strong role model and more of a buffoon and a joke. Many of the serious scenes are undercut with silly jokes. The character is in danger of losing any respect it may have had with its audience because of the overuse of bathos.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): The film is filled with instances of bathos, where serious or epic moments are often undercut by absurdity. For example, the intimidating Black Knight refuses to back down in a sword fight even after losing all his limbs.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024): While a largely serious film, it still includes bits of bathos and comedy in attempts to ease the building tension. Noa carries Mae on his back as he climbs up a treacherous cliff. He slips on some loose rock and just barely catches himself and Mae. As they catch their breath, looking down at the fall they just narrowly avoided, Noa utters a profanity he’d heard Mae use earlier. They both offer each other small smiles.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017): Starting right where we left Luke and Rey, we see Rey holding out Luke’s old lightsaber for him to take. The music swells with epic camera angles. But it comes screeching to a halt when Luke takes the lightsaber and tosses it over his shoulder. What appeared to be a meaningful and powerful gesture, ended up being a goofy joke, and completely altered how we viewed Luke Skywalker.
Is the humor of bathos unwarranted and jarring or a thankful break in a serious scene? Is it something movies need to stop using so often or is it an essential tool when writing comedies? All in all, bathos is a tool, an ingredient, that should be used sparingly and cleverly. When done so, movies can be comedic and entertaining without the audience losing respect for the story and its characters.