this post was submitted on 04 Oct 2025
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His character as a photo developer exhibited a creepy mental illness. What is the mental illness called when a lonely person fixates on certain people & becomes obsessed with them in unhealthy uncomfortable creepy ways?

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[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 30 points 2 months ago (3 children)

He was delusional and showed some obsessive compulsive behavior.

I still sometimes think about the scene where he has broken into some family's house and is taking a shit in their toilet thinking about being an actual part of the family. I hope to never come home and sit on my toilet and find the seat warm.

[–] LemmyKnowsBest@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

Yeah it was a really uncomfortable movie.

[–] GreenKnight23@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

that scene made me stop watching the movie.

I didn't watch the rest for a decade.

it was a fantastically horrifying movie.

[–] chocrates@piefed.world 1 points 2 months ago

My bidet always keeps my seat warm!
I'll never know

[–] etchinghillside@reddthat.com 28 points 2 months ago (2 children)

“Parasocial Relationships” is the term I’m used to - but don’t think that’s a condition used to describe a person that experiences them.

[–] silentdon@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago

An extreme version of parasocial relationship

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 points 2 months ago

not really a parasocial, usually involves some form of codependancy in the affected person. i would more attribute parsocial as an obssesed fan stalking/ forming a 1 side relationship with a public figure.

[–] SacralPlexus@lemmy.world 22 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I was working a photo lab when this movie came out and corporate was alarmed because it was bad publicity. We had talking points to reassure customers regarding privacy etc.

[–] Dvixen@lemmy.world 12 points 2 months ago

I was working in a photo lab when it came out as well. The movie accurately portrayed (imo) how uncomfortably close to how involved one could feel when dealing with long time customers, even in a high volume lab where we rarely dealt with the customer. We'd see first dates engagements, weddings, kids being born, and so forth. Plenty of stories of 'I saw Customer at the mall, had to stop myself from waving and saying hello and asking after Event'.

It's not really much different from today's social media and how involved some get in the lives of people they've never met or don't even know they exist.

It made me double take on Robin Williams. I'd always seen him as Mork from his early career. I expected him to be over the top and funny, so watching him be serious and frankly disturbing was as confronting as the movie itself.

[–] Kissaki@feddit.org 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

How often did you use it? Did concerned people ask about it?

[–] SacralPlexus@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

I think one customer brought up the movie one time lol

That movie was an unexpected trip!

I think his obsession could be symptomatic of a number of diagnoses. He seems unable to properly empathize with the people (specifically not considering their autonomy) over which he is obsessing, which would give a healthy mind pause during the progression of events.

The best way to try to check yourself to see if you are being socially creepy, is try to imagine how your actions may be perceived by the other person. Remember that they are unaware of any context either in your mind or when they are absent. The protagonist does not seem to do this at all.

[–] 30p87@feddit.org 9 points 2 months ago (2 children)

If it doesn't have a name, I claim it as my own.

[–] cosmicrookie@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

from now on then, it's called 30p87 Syndrome

[–] beejboytyson@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago
[–] Envy@fedia.io 4 points 2 months ago

Seems like a highly fictionalized version of unregulated Borderline Personality Disorder

Edit: sorry to the people with BPD I offended, but would yall not call this a hyperfictionalized example of a Favorite Person? Emphasis, hyperfictionalized.

Characteristics of the Favorite Person Relationship:

Idealization:
The person with BPD views the favorite person as perfect, trustworthy, and capable of meeting all their needs. 

Emotional Dependence: They become heavily reliant on the favorite person for emotional support, validation, and a sense of security. Fear of Abandonment: The person with BPD fears that the favorite person will leave them, which can lead to frantic efforts to maintain the relationship. Splitting: The person with BPD may alternate between idealizing and devaluing the favorite person, seeing them as either perfect or worthless. Unrealistic Expectations: The person with BPD may have unrealistic expectations of the favorite person, which can lead to disappointment and conflict.

[–] underreacting@literature.cafe 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Intimacy-seeking stalkers often have delusional disorders involving erotomanic delusions.

I haven't seen the film, but it sounds like a platonic version of erotomania, or a non-specific delusional disorder.

[–] phoenixz@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I remember it being quite good, just that it was the first robin Williams movie I saw that wasn't a comedy and where he wasn't a crazy jumpy fun guy, it was jarring for me the first time I saw it.

I would recommend it though, it was a good movie

[–] underreacting@literature.cafe 1 points 2 months ago

I've yet to see Robin Williams in a serious role and being disappointed, so I'll check it out. Thanks for the rec!

[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I think I saw that a long time ago, we should check it out again.

[–] DrFistington@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Another great Robin Williams movie is called 'The Final Cut' which has become even more relevant than when released

[–] toynbee@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Insomnia was pretty good, too.

[–] LemmyKnowsBest@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

My favorite Robin Williams movie was The World According to Garp. 💖✈️🏠

Ok I'll keep going...

and What Dreams May Come I'll give it an 8/10. Meaningful & deep but a couple weird details I wouldv left out of I was in charge of it.

Same with Patch Adams but 9/10

Dead Poets Society 10/10💯‼️