Rats in Film

In film, rats have had the chance to take on every role. They are the main characters, sidekicks, extras, or just simply part of a set design. The way rats are typically portrayed in children and adult movies tend to differ. In children's movies, rats are heroes, master chefs, best friends, or wise sensei. As one gets older, rats tend to lose their anthropomorphic characteristics and stoic personalities and turn into creepy or neutral props. In adult movies, rats are used as a science experiment, to emphasize the filth of a decaying city, or as a creepy jump scare. However, this trend is not specific to every movie. For example, in the children's movie Lady and the Tramp (1955), a rat is seen trying to attack a baby. It is drawn with creepy yellow eyes, prickly fur, and sharp teeth (clearly depicted in a creepy, villainous manner). This rat is also not anthropomorphized or a character in the film. In contrast, the DC film The Suicide Squad (2021) depicts a rat in a more friendly manner, as one of the main characters has an endearing pet rat. To highlight the majority of portrayals of rats in films geared toward children and adults, two movies will be discussed: the children's film Ratatouille (2007) and the adult horror film 1922 (2017).

Lady and the Tramp
                                                                               
                                                                                The Suicide Squad


Remy from Ratatouille
First, let us begin discussing the role of rats in children's films using the film Ratatouille for reference. Ratatouille has a clear message: "not everyone can be a great artist... but a great artist can come from anywhere" (Scott, 2007). The film's main character, Remy, is a cute, anthropomorphized rat with a sensitive palate and a passion for unique flavors and cooking. He was raised by garbage eaters, and sought out his culinary passion in Paris. He eventually befriended a low-level employee at a revered restaurant and was able to fulfill his culinary dreams. I believe that a rat was chosen as the main character of this film because rats are viewed as unsanitary, and do not belong in the kitchen. The association between rats and food is usually not an appetizing one. This helps to emphasize the message that a great artist can come from anywhere, as Remy is an unexpected source of culinary genius. Rats are depicted as unsanitary in the film as well, as they are seen living in the sewers of the city and eating garbage. The humans in the film also despise the rats in their kitchen, as there are several scenes of Remy or his friends being chased out of the kitchen or scaring the employees. However, Remy broke this stereotype and eventually, the rats began helping in the kitchen.


1922

There is a large contrast between Remy and the rats in the adult horror film, 1922. In the film, rats are seen scurrying down a staircase, entering the basement where the main character sits in fear. Among those rats is the main character's dead wife. This scene is darkly lit, creepy, and meant to convey a sense of fear. The wife is constantly flanked by rats, both haunting the main character. The number of rats in the film grows as the movie progresses as well. The overall message of the film is that "in the end, we all get caught," whether that be by the law or by guilt (Leadbeater, 2017). The film follows the main character as greed and the guilt of his crimes ultimately destroy him. The rats are used in this film to symbolically represent the progressing decay of the dead wife, as well as the growing guilt of the main character. I believe rats were used in this film because they are often associated with uncleanliness and death. They can both highlight his dirty morality as well as the death in the movie. Rats can also provide a creepy and icky feeling, a great addition to a horror film.


After discussing both the adult and children's film, it is clear to see the difference in messages between them. In a children's film, rats represent misunderstood and different, breaking away from the actions that one expects a rat to take. They are relatable, as they stand on two legs and speak our language. They have problems as they are usually outcasts or misunderstood, and they make friends or have families. In an adult film, rats are symbols of filth and fear, used to enhance the setting or story as a prop. They are creepy, gray, and have beady black eyes. They scurry around in the most uncomfortable settings. However, just like mentioned before, the depiction of rats in film is diverse, and can be portrayed in many more lights in any genre or age group than mentioned.

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