Summary
No One Will Save You explores the concept of grace and salvation emerging from pain and suffering, as a narrative backbone inspired by Catholic dogma.
The film depicts the battle between destruction and creation, illustrating that any effort to suppress one side leads to conflict. Del Toro labels the movie as a moral tale, drawing comparisons to Hitchcock and folklore, while emphasizing its enjoyable and captivating essence.
Guillermo del Toro shocked writer/director Brian Duffield by unveiling the hidden significance of "No One Will Save You." The sci-fi/horror movie, available on Hulu since September 22, revolves around Brynn (portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever), a paranoid shut-in fighting off invasive extraterrestrials threatening her home. While the film has gained attention for its minimal dialogue and enigmatic conclusion, it was del Toro's tweet disclosing its undisclosed messages that caught Duffield off guard. Take a look at their interaction below.
Renowned filmmaker Del Toro, celebrated for his accomplishments in the horror genre and winner of three Academy Awards, initiates his discourse by introducing a crucial principle in Catholic dogma. He invites his audience to either challenge or embrace the notion that grace and salvation arise from pain and suffering, asserting that this notion serves as a central narrative foundation. Del Toro then imparts further analysis by elucidating that salvation can be attained by oneself through this principle. He references biblical stories such as the Book of Job and Jonah in the whale, as well as similar themes in various religions, emphasizing that the world embodies a paradoxical combination of destruction and creation. He asserts that any endeavor to suppress one aspect inevitably leads to conflict, as the universe does not adhere to harmonious norms. Del Toro contends that the key lies in a transcendent moment of "communion" experienced through the eucharist of the alien identity pod, profoundly impacting the narrative.
Del Toro concludes his analysis by stating that the film goes beyond soul repair and explores other levels. He compares it to the narrative structure found in Hitchcock's works and various fairy tales and parables. For Del Toro, the film is like a parable, a particularly enjoyable one at that. He humorously remarks that Sunday school has never been this entertaining.
Duffield replies to Del Toro's thread, revealing that they are a missionary kid who grew up in Ireland, which adds an interesting layer to their perspective. Their comment suggests that the film's connections to Catholic dogma were indeed intentional.
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No One Will Save You's Parallels To Catholic Dogma Explained
According to Del Toro, the fundamental concept in Catholic doctrine stating that grace and salvation are derived from anguish and affliction serves as the central theme of No One Will Save You. The protagonist, Brynn, experiences overwhelming guilt for unintentionally causing the death of her childhood best friend, Maude, which results in her isolation from their small town community. After the extraterrestrial invaders capture and examine her thoughts, they gain insight into the extensive pain and suffering she has endured. As a result, they choose not to manipulate her mind, granting her freedom.
After enduring a life filled with agony and affliction, Brynn is finally granted the opportunity to return to Earth. Unlike the rest of the inhabitants in her town, she is not subjected to the control of a tentacled organism that manipulates her thoughts and actions. In a remarkable contrast to her previous existence during the alien invasion, Brynn's neighbors now exhibit friendliness and warmth, symbolizing her moment of deliverance. While similarities can be drawn between "No One Will Save You" and Catholic doctrine, Del Toro clarifies that, just like the dogma itself, individuals possess the choice to either reject or embrace it.