Revisiting the Psychoanalytical Tradition

Abstract

Besides the epic elements in Blade Runner, the film also alludes to tragedy. Roy’s blinding of Tyrell before killing him reminds us of Oedipus Rex, another classical literary reference. Certain parallels may be established between the two stories: In Oedipus Rex, Laius casts his son away in order to avoid being killed by his own creation, while in BR, the replicants are cast away and banished in what may be interpreted as Tyrell’s fear of their returning to Earth to kill him. As Oedipus murdered his father, so Roy kills his creator, his “father”.