by JZ Murdock

Created on: December 02, 2008   Last Updated: May 11, 2010

There is one main belief centered theme in the movie Serenity, by Joss Whedon.

Faith: to have Faith in oneself and Faith in those around you. As opposed to having Faith in larger constructs such as God, Government, or organizations. This is shown time and again throughout the film. There is a climax to this when "Reverend Book" discusses with "Mal" that he needs to have Faith. When Mal indicates he is not a Godly person, Shepherd Book asks him, “Why is it people always assume I’m talking about God when I mention Faith?”

This is a seminal point in that all humans need to have Faith. Faith in SOMEthing, be it themselves, their friends, God, their country, or whatever. It has been shown in psychological studies that people do better in life when they aim for a goal that is external from them. It acts as a buffer to life in general. Though it does not have to be a Faith in God, we still need a higher ideal, something that is bigger than, Self.

One might argue that those who can only have Faith in themselves actually have a stronger sense of Faith; but that takes a very solid foundation. Most of us are simply too dysfunctional. We require something we can think of as more perfect, or more functional, than ourselves. Because in truth, we know ourselves all too well. In the end we may not believe in anything that is any more functional than ourselves, but it helps us nonetheless. It helps to have that Faith, and to carry on persevering to a conclusion.

Mal once had Faith in God and his organization (“The Independents”). During the battle of Serenity his own people abandoned his military unit to the enemy known as "The Alliance". And so, he lost all Faith in any outside forces, including God. From then on he has only Faith in himself. Though sometimes he shows Faith in his friends and those closest to him, it is proved time and again to him, that it is better to have Faith in something not too far outside yourself. God, he thinks, simply doesn't hear you; the Government, doesn't care about you, certainly not if you are not of their “inner circle”. And we see time and again, how even those included within that inner circle are not safe from danger by the hands of their own protectors.

Near the end, the dying Shepherd Book tells Mal, "It doesn't matter what you believe Mal, only that you believe it." Why does he say this? Because Mal is adrift. He doesn't really believe in anything other than survival. By beginning to believe in something, anything, Mal starts to elevate his existence into something higher than the mere survival instinct, opening the door for more positive things to enter his life. The beginning of belief, is the beginning of a higher existence; going from mere existence to truly living.

So, Mal continues on striving to survive on the outskirts of those most powerful influences outside of himself, that of his most despised concepts of, Government and God. But perhaps now, with a higher purpose than before. As a crack has begun to grow in his hard-shell exterior that will eventually let someone in. Possibly, some higher thought, process or even Faith. Although it would kill the legend of Mal, it would bring the character, the man, back to life.

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