Exploring Sociopathic Behaviors: Challenging Cultural Perceptions

Sara Stewart, a film and culture writer from western Pennsylvania, shares her own views in this article. Check out more opinion pieces on CNN.

Please note that this article includes mild spoilers for the Netflix series "Ripley" and a scene from the movie "Civil War."

Are we finally ready to take another look at why we love to hate sociopaths so much? The answer to that question may depend on how you feel about empathy.

Sara Stewart

Sara Stewart

Todd Thompson

An intriguing dynamic emerges in Andrew Scott's portrayal of Tom Ripley in the stunning new Netflix adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel. He almost blends into Ripley's complete lack of charm.

This observation is not a criticism of Scott, who remains captivating as always. His depiction of Ripley - highly skilled, adaptable, but never quite charming - offers a fresh perspective on one of the most well-known sociopaths in literature and cinema. Some of the most gripping moments in Steven Zaillian's new series focus on the gritty reality of being a murderous con artist, exploring the messy, frustrating, and exhausting aftermath of two murders. Scott's ability to make scrubbing chunky bloodstains from marble stairs utterly compelling is undeniable, yet it's not the type of behavior that leaves you thinking, "that guy's cool."

His outstanding performance in the role is part of a new exploration of the sociopath archetype, which has become somewhat cliched in popular culture recently. While we typically expect sociopaths to be intimidating, we also find ourselves strangely drawn to supporting them. However, "Ripley" and other recent portrayals of sociopathy argue that it is more intriguing and beneficial to examine sociopathy from a nuanced perspective.

This is not to say that viewers cannot enjoy living vicariously through any character they choose - escapism can be a valuable coping mechanism. However, we are currently facing what Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin refers to as an "empathy gap," so perhaps it is a good time to take a small step back from glorifying cold-hearted sociopaths, who lack empathy. Rubin noted, "It's evident that we are experiencing a significant deficit in empathy - a collective inability (or refusal) to consider the world from others' viewpoints, to comprehend people's fears and aspirations, and our shared humanity."

Graeme Hunter/HBO

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In TV and film, our beloved sociopathic antiheroes have predominantly been men such as Tony Soprano, Walter White, Patrick Bateman, Dexter Morgan, and Don Draper. Personally, I have always struggled to enjoy mob movies and series as they often revolve around brutal violence. Surprisingly, shows like "The Sopranos" and "Goodfellas" have amassed a devoted fanbase that seems to admire the central villains.

The New Yorker's Emily Nussbaum coined the term "bad fan" to describe viewers who fail to see the critical portrayal of a character and instead wholeheartedly embrace them. She points out a disconnect that can be traced back to Norman Lear's 1970s sitcom "All in the Family." The show featured a bigoted lead character, Archie Bunker, portrayed by Carroll O'Connor. Despite Lear's satirical intentions, some viewers actually identified with Archie's offensive behavior, resonating with his frustrations towards society and relishing in the expression of taboo thoughts.

One of the most well-known examples of mass fan-baiting in recent times is the popular series "You" on Netflix. The show follows a book-loving sociopath named Joe Goldberg who leaves a trail of bodies behind him. Despite actor Penn Badgley calling out overzealous fans on social media, Joe Goldberg remains a favorite character among viewers, despite embodying the worst traits of toxic masculinity.

This month, the release of "Ripley" coincided with the publication of the memoir "Sociopath," offering a contrasting perspective on the disorder. Author Patric Gagne, a therapist who is married with children, shares her personal journey of successfully managing her violent tendencies. She argues that sociopathy is often misunderstood, unfairly stereotyped, and potentially under-diagnosed.

Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley in the Netflix series "Ripley."

Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley in the Netflix series "Ripley."

Netflix

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Gagne believes that Hollywood often misrepresents sociopaths by portraying them as one-dimensional villains. In an article for Vogue, she argues that having a limited emotional range does not inherently make someone immoral. Many individuals on the sociopathic spectrum can lead happy, normal lives within loving families. Unfortunately, common discourse in television, newspapers, and magazines tends to unfairly vilify sociopaths by inaccurately associating them with malignant narcissists or basing stereotypes on extreme examples like serial killers.

Gagne finds a positive trend in recent portrayals of sociopathic characters, such as Jenna Ortega's portrayal of Wednesday Addams on the Netflix show named after her. This diversity in pop culture representations reflects how people from various backgrounds can relate to these characters.

One of the most recent sociopathic characters in film that I found particularly chilling is in Alex Garland's "Civil War." Jesse Plemons, known for his exceptional performances, plays a soldier who interrogates a group of journalists in a scene that lingers in your mind long after the movie ends. With his rose-colored glasses and unsettling questions about American identity, he embodies a disturbingly realistic White nationalist and sociopath, as described by critic Owen Gleiberman.

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According to Gleiberman, Garland's film is filled with intense tension, and the character played by Plemons reflects the current atmosphere of extreme nationalism. This scene in the movie mirrors a troubling aspect of American society today. It's hard to find any admiration for Plemons or see him as any sort of hero after witnessing such a disturbing moment.

In a country where the debate of empathy being a strength or weakness is ongoing, challenging stereotypes about sociopathy is beneficial. By accepting the intricate nature of characters like Scott's Ripley and recognizing that sociopathy is not always clear-cut, as shown by authors like Gagne, we can gain a better understanding of individuals labeled as sociopaths. This includes those who are currently in the spotlight of public attention.

Editor's P/S:

The article explores the