Room, based on the novel by Emma Donoghue, tells the story of Jack, a 5-year-old boy who has lived his entire life confined to a small, enclosed space he knows only as “Room.” Jack’s world is limited to this one space, and within it, he finds comfort in its routine and familiarity. The room he shares with his mother, Ma, is the only reality he has ever known. For Jack, the bed, the wardrobe, the sink, and the TV are not just objects but friends and companions that shape his understanding of the world. However, his entire perception is challenged when his mother reveals that Room is not the entire world, but a prison they have been forced into for years.
This revelation sets the stage for an emotional and gripping journey as Jack’s understanding of the world around him shatters and begins to reform. The film, directed by Lenny Abrahamson, masterfully captures Jack’s innocence and perspective, while also conveying the underlying darkness of the situation: Ma has been held captive in this room for seven years by a man they call “Old Nick,” who kidnapped her when she was a teenager. The story balances Jack’s limited comprehension with the harsh realities his mother faces every day.
Jack’s World Inside Room
For Jack, Room is the only reality he has ever known. He believes that everything within its four walls is all there is. The skylight provides a glimpse of the outside, but Jack considers anything beyond Room to be unreal. The objects in the room — “Table,” “Chair,” “Wardrobe” — are not just things, but friends with whom he interacts. Ma has created this sheltered world for Jack to protect him from the painful truth of their captivity. She has invented games, exercises, and stories to keep Jack’s mind active and his spirits alive, making Room as much of a home as possible under their dire circumstances.
From Jack’s point of view, Room is a magical, albeit limited, space. His innocence and curiosity make Room a place filled with wonder, even though it is only 10-by-10 feet. Ma has taught Jack to believe that the images on the television are not real, further reinforcing the notion that Room is all there is in the world. Jack’s perspective is shaped entirely by what Ma has told him, and as a result, he has no concept of the outside world. He lives in a reality where Room is his universe, and he feels safe within its confines.
The Revelation of the Outside World
The turning point of the story comes when Ma decides that Jack is old enough to know the truth. She reveals to him that there is a world outside of Room — a world filled with people, trees, animals, and vast spaces. This revelation is overwhelming for Jack. The notion that there is an entire universe beyond the walls of Room challenges everything he has ever known. At first, Jack refuses to believe Ma, clinging to the safety of what he has always considered real.
For Ma, this moment is crucial. After seven years in captivity, she sees Jack as her hope for escape. While she has shielded him from the harsh reality of their situation, she now understands that Jack must confront the truth in order for them to have any chance of freedom. Ma formulates a plan to escape Room, but it requires Jack to take on a huge responsibility: to leave Room and seek help from the outside world. The plan is terrifying for both of them, but Ma knows it is their only chance.
Jack’s Escape and the Discovery of the Outside World
Jack’s escape from Room is a harrowing and tense sequence. Ma pretends that Jack has died and wraps him in a rug, instructing him to wait until Old Nick takes him out of Room. Jack’s terror is palpable, as he has never been outside Room and has no understanding of what awaits him. The world outside is chaotic and overwhelming for Jack, but through his bravery and his bond with Ma, he manages to alert someone to their captivity.
Once they are freed, Jack’s world expands in ways he could never have imagined. The film beautifully captures the wonder and confusion he feels as he encounters the vastness of the outside world for the first time. Everything, from the open sky to other people, is new and overwhelming for Jack, and he struggles to reconcile this new reality with the one he has always known in Room.
Themes of Trauma, Survival, and Healing
Room explores powerful themes of trauma, survival, and healing. While the story is seen through Jack’s innocent eyes, the film never shies away from the psychological and emotional toll that Ma endures. Her struggle to protect Jack, maintain her sanity, and eventually seek freedom is heart-wrenching. Ma’s trauma is evident, but so is her resilience as a mother who will do anything for her child.
Jack’s journey from the safety of Room to the bewildering freedom of the outside world is one of growth and discovery. He learns to navigate his new reality while clinging to the strong bond he shares with Ma. Ultimately, Room is not just a story about captivity, but one of survival, hope, and the unbreakable connection between a mother and her child.
Conclusion
Room is a poignant and emotionally charged film that explores the complexities of captivity, survival, and the process of healing after trauma. Jack’s journey from a limited, enclosed world to the vastness of reality is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. Through stunning performances by Brie Larson as Ma and Jacob Tremblay as Jack, the film creates an intimate and powerful narrative about resilience, love, and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child.
