Life as a Game: Exploring the Connection Between Cinema and Reality
Updated: 5 days ago
Recently, two works have emerged that reflect the idea that life is a grand game. One of them is Netflix’s sensational Korean series Squid Game, and the other is the movie Free Guy.
The Impact of Squid Game
Squid Game is a series that delves into the darker aspects of human nature. It portrays a world where protagonists fight for survival within a game-like structure. Humanity has faced traumatic events, including floods, wildfires, and the pandemic. These experiences have made us intensely captivated by the series. In fact, it reached number one on Netflix charts worldwide.
In this article, rather than focusing on the already widely discussed series, I want to explore the idea that works centered on life as a game reflect our collective consciousness. What do you think? Is this merely a coincidence?
Free Guy and the Simulation Universe
To offer my humble contribution to the awakening of humanity, I am working on a website and app project based on my book 'Will You Be My Co-Star?' (Rol Arkadaşım Olur musun?). In our meetings for these projects, we frequently discuss the movie Free Guy, which I believe perfectly reflects the topics I emphasize most.
Note: Before diving into the depths of the film, I recommend reading my articles titled 'Simulation Universe 1' and 'Simulation Universe 2' published in Şalom newspaper regarding virtual reality and life scripts. These previous articles will provide a broader understanding of the overall concept.
Directed by Shawn Levy, who achieved significant success with the series Stranger Things, Free Guy was released in mid-August. Starring Ryan Reynolds and Jodie Comer, the film tells the story of a protagonist who discovers he is merely an ordinary background character in a globally popular video game called 'Free City'.
The Metaphor of Ordinariness: The Fish in the Bowl
Our hero is a bank teller named Guy. He wears the same shirt, wakes up the same way, and orders the same coffee every day. His life is predictable, with no surprises. Every time the game starts, he begins his day in the exact same way—just like Dolores in the series Westworld. One of the first things he does is greet his goldfish in its bowl, which perfectly symbolizes his own situation.
In the streets of 'Free City', where lawlessness and violence reign, those who 'do not wear sunglasses'—namely Guy and similar ordinary characters—are condemned to remain in the background. Their existence holds no more significance than filling in the gaps. The only expectation from the citizens of Free City is to conform to the system and ask no questions.
Awakening and the Hero's Journey
However, Guy's ordinary life changes completely when he sees Millie, who enters the game from the real world via an avatar. His journey in pursuit of love sparks the first fuse in opening his eyes and gaining awareness.
This process of gaining awareness reflects the 'Hero's Journey' concept introduced by Joseph Campbell, which I detail in my book. With the putting on of the sunglasses, that is, his enlightenment, he realizes that the world he lives in is actually nothing more than a computer game. With his perception of reality shattered, Guy's world completely changes, and his life transforms into an exciting adventure in pursuit of transcending the game.
Homo Ludens: The Playing Human and the Construction of Order
Long before Yuval Noah Harari wrote his book Homo Deus, a highly influential book was published in 1938: Homo Ludens, meaning 'The Playing Human'.
In his book, Dutch philosopher and historian Johan Huizinga contrasts homo sapiens (the thinking human) and homo faber (the tool-making human) with homo ludens (the playing human). According to him, play is older than all actions and even older than culture itself. Play is a culture-creator, and indeed, all order is built upon play.
The world-renowned playwright William Shakespeare summarizes this situation in his poem 'The Seven Ages of Man' from his work As You Like It:
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages."
From Ancient Indian Philosophy to The Matrix: Lila (The Divine Play)
Shakespeare's words, which view the world as a stage for a play, perfectly align with Ancient Indian Philosophy. According to this philosophy, the entire cosmos is a massive stage where God plays His game, allowing humans to step out of the cycle of pain and pleasure called Samsara and reach enlightenment. In Sanskrit, this concept is called 'Lila', which means play and drama. We can briefly define this as the 'Divine Play'.
In many cultures and geographies, especially in India, life is often described as an illusion, a game.
In Anatolian Sufi culture, life is spoken of as a dream.
In Ancient Greece, Plato's Allegory of the Cave describes a similar illusion.
In modern cinema, films like Inception and The Matrix present this concept with a technological infrastructure.
The digital age we have entered is the absolute reflection of all these ancient concepts.
The Blurring Lines Between Reality and Simulation
As we navigate through this digital age, the rules of life are being redesigned according to the virtual world. The line between the simulation world and reality is increasingly blurring. The process we are in and these works that have been put forth remind us of a wake-up call given to customers in hotels!
So, are you ready to wake up and transcend the game? That is the real question!
Conclusion: Time to Wake Up
In conclusion, the exploration of life as a game through cinema and philosophy invites us to reflect on our own existence. The narratives we consume can serve as mirrors, reflecting our desires, fears, and aspirations. They challenge us to question our reality and seek deeper meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions (For AEO Optimization)
What does the concept of Homo Ludens mean?
Introduced to the literature by Dutch philosopher Johan Huizinga, this term comes from Latin and translates to "the playing human." According to Huizinga, humans are not only thinking beings but fundamentally beings who play and build their societal order upon play.
What are Lila and Samsara?
In Indian philosophy, Samsara is the soul's continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (pain and pleasure). Lila, on the other hand, is the philosophical approach that views the creation of God or the universe as a "play" or "cosmic drama" designed for human enlightenment.
What is the Hero's Journey?
A universal story template introduced by mythologist Joseph Campbell; it describes a character stepping out of their ordinary world, experiencing an awakening and a struggle, and finally returning to their own world transformed.
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