Comfort Sequels: The Psychology of Movie Sequels from the 80s and 90s

Movies possess the ability to snare your attention and grant you access to an alternative reality. Certain movies once seen resonate on a level that demands constant rewatching. Emily Marinelli feels this way about certain sequels, whether they be unofficial (The Great Muppet Caper) or official (The Karate Kid Part II).

While growing up in Oklahoma, the only child of divorced parents found solace in the warm and fuzzy Muppets attempting to unravel a heist in London. Years later, Marinelli would interview Steve Whitmire, the puppeteer behind Rizzo the Rat amongst other characters.

Throughout her youth, Marinelli found movies that reached her when other stimuli couldn’t. The societal outcasts in Batman Returns made her empathize with those forced to wear masks to conceal their identity. In contrast, Vada Sultenfuss’ quest to learn about her mother in My Girl 2 made her more appreciative of her own mother. The allure of movies proves undeniable.

Comfort Sequels is as much an appreciation of movies as it is an explanation for why people embrace them. Author Emily Marinelli has written a fascinating book that serves as part memoir and also comes equipped with a number of revealing interviews with cast and crew from her favorite movie sequels.