The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Elemental's Wade and Building Instant Connections, Deciphered by a Therapist

Summary

Wade from Elemental connects with others easily through care and compassion, a psychological technique called "joining."

Elemental overcame its initial struggles and eventually became a remarkable success, captivating audiences worldwide and generating a staggering $489 million in revenue. Enthusiastic endorsements such as therapist Jonathan Decker's may fuel its resurgence even further, potentially paving the way for a sequel.

A therapist from Cinema Therapy, Jonathan Decker, analyzes how Elemental's Wade effortlessly forms connections with people using real-life psychological concepts. Elemental tells the story of Wade Ripple and Ember Lumen as they navigate life in a city where inhabitants possess the powers of fire, water, earth, and air. Wade, representing the water element, is a deeply empathetic individual with a strong capacity for understanding and caring for others.

In a recent video, professional therapist Jonathan Decker delves into the psychological aspects of Wade's character. Decker encourages viewers to emulate Wade by praising his qualities throughout the video. According to Decker, Wade excels in Elemental by actively displaying an interest in others, showing care and compassion for fellow beings. Decker explains that this behavior aligns with a psychological technique known as "joining," where individuals connect with others by matching their energy or meeting them at their level. For a detailed explanation, watch the complete video below:

Instead of striving to be interesting, the key is to genuinely be interested. By demonstrating curiosity in others, you naturally engage and captivate them. While Wade may not exhibit this behavior explicitly in the stadium, what he does display is a genuine concern and empathy for others. He actively encourages others to participate in this caring approach. In counseling, this is known as "joining," and there are various techniques to establish connection with a person. These techniques include adapting to their style, such as matching their energy level or volume. The idea is to make them feel understood and connected to a like-minded individual. However, the effectiveness of these techniques rests upon their sincerity. Ultimately, none of these techniques hold significance if they are insincere, for authenticity is paramount.

Like Wade, Elemental Connected With Audiences In Its Own Way

Upon its debut, Elemental initially faced struggles. With an opening revenue of $29.6 million, lower than anticipated, many dismissed the Pixar film as a failure. However, Elemental defied expectations and went on to amass a total of $489 million at the global box office, impressively establishing profitability. While critical reviews for Elemental were varied, it managed to acquired Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes, amassing a 74% rating.

Despite its disappointing initial performance, Pixar's Elemental eventually became the summer's comeback story, capturing the attention of its audience. This accomplishment is particularly impressive considering the comparisons made between the new movie and Pixar's 2015 hit, Inside Out. While the concept of Elemental, with its personification of emotions, bore some similarities to Inside Out, there were enough distinct elements in Elemental to set it apart in viewers' minds, such as the memorable character, Wade.

With the support of positive opinions, like that of Decker, Elemental has the opportunity to make an even greater comeback in the public eye. Its release on Disney+ was one of the highlights of the year on the streaming platform. This streaming renaissance opens up the possibility of Elemental 2, as audiences rediscover the merits of this animated feature. A potential sequel could delve deeper into the psychological themes that Decker observed in the first film, allowing the Elemental universe to explore new depths.

Source: Cinema Therapy