What Wonder Woman 1984 Can Teach Us About Letting Go
A Review of the Film’s Spiritual Lessons
I have recently watched the film "Wonder Woman 1984" and I couldn't help but notice the spiritual significance of its underlying theme. (Spoiler alert for those who have not yet watched the movie.)
The main crisis of the film comes from an ancient stone that has the power to grant a person's wish. While this may be a dream come true for many, it was later discovered that the stone was deceptive. Though it could grant a person's wish, it also takes away something else from the person, something very valuable to the person concerned.
For Barbara, a woman who felt like she's a nobody compared to Diana, the stone was able to grant her wish of being just like the woman she envied (including having super strength!). But it was at the expense of her humanity. The stone seemed to suck the goodness out of her, making her violent and thirsty for power. For Diana (Wonder Woman), who wished for her dead boyfriend to come back, what was taken was her superpowers.
What's interesting was that though they later learned that they could take back their wishes in order to avoid the consequences, they were both hesitant in doing so. Barbara didn't want to be the boring and powerless person she felt she was. Diana couldn't let go of Steve, the one man she has ever loved.
The conversation between the two women that struck me the most was when Diana was trying to convince Barbara to stop the stone before it destroys the world. This was after a fight between the two and Wonder Woman couldn’t even get up after being severely beaten by Barbara (who is now much stronger due to Diana’s dissipating powers).
Barbara: You've always had everything, while people like me have had nothing. Well, now it's my turn. And you are not taking it from me. Ever!
Diana: But what is it costing you?
Barbara: What is it costing me?
Diana: If it's the monkey's paw, it takes as much as it gives. Yes, you are strong... but what did you lose, Barbara? Where's your warmth, your joy, your humanity? You're attacking innocent men, Barbara. Look at yourself.
Barbara: Forget about me. What is it costing you?
At that moment, I think Diana realized that she was also desperately holding on to something that's been taking away what’s very valuable to her. She was able to see her situation clearly: beaten, bruised and weak. She couldn’t defeat her enemies because she couldn’t bear losing Steve again.
Isn't that the same with the things that draw us away from God? No person would admit to desiring evil things. We all want something good, something that satisfies us. But at what cost?
When we start to prefer something else in place of God, we're putting ourselves in a position similar to the characters in this movie.
We want to get something even if it means we're giving up something better. And that is sin. It is giving up a greater good. It is preferring momentary pleasures over eternal joy. It is giving up our peace in exchange for something we can't let go.
In the end, Diana made the difficult choice of renouncing her wish and letting her boyfriend go so she could save the world. She chose to sacrifice what she thought could make her happy so that she could accomplish a greater good.
I think this is worth reflecting on in our own lives. Today, let's think of the things that could be blocking us from drawing closer to God.
What are the things that seem to bring you happiness now but also takes away something very valuable from you? Is it worth the price you’re paying for? What are you losing in return? What could you lose in the future?
Sometimes, we just can’t let go of something unless we experience tremendous pain. We continue doing something we know isn’t right until we clearly see how it’s breaking our lives into pieces and turning us into someone we couldn’t recognize anymore.
Who’s being affected by your decisions right now? Who is bound to suffer the consequences of the choices you’re making today?
Today, while there is still time, I hope we could find the courage we need to let go of the things that threaten our very souls. Let us not be deceived into thinking we could evade the truth.
There is a price we pay whenever we exchange what is right for what we think we desire. Until when are you going to hold on to something before it completely destroys you?
“What is it that you can't let go? What is it costing you?”
“Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it.
For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul?”
- Matthew 16:24-26, DRA
Prayer
Lord, it isn’t easy to let go of the things I feel are making me happy. But I want to do what is right. Help me, O Lord. Give me the will and the strength to do what must be done. Amen.
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