The Psychological World of Lucifer: Psychoanalytical Understanding of the Netflix Series ‘Lucifer’
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/ajpr.v29i1.943Keywords:
delusion; psychoanalysis; parental control; projection; self-actualization IAbstract
Abstract
The paper analyzes the eponymous character of Lucifer Morningstar, as depicted in the Netflix series Lucifer. The character presents a rich tapestry of psychological themes that can be analyzed through various psychoanalytical concepts, such as the unconscious mind, repression, identity, sibling rivalry, parental control, trauma bonding, and the struggle between good and evil. The paper explores these themes in the Netflix TV series Lucifer, especially through the theories propounded by Freud and Jung and Maslow’s theory of self-actualization. The paper envisions the journey of Lucifer Morningstar, as portrayed in the Netflix show "Lucifer," offering a compelling ground for psychoanalytical exploration. Freudian analysis provides interesting insights into Lucifer’s struggles with desire, repression, and identity, while Jungian principles illuminate his journey toward self-discovery and integration of the shadow self. Through the psychoanalytical perspective, Lucifer’s character can be seen as embodying the complex dialectic between the conscious and unconscious mind, the shame, struggle, and quest for identity, redemption, self-understanding, trauma bonding, and self-actualization. This analysis incorporates broader concepts like the "Law of the Father" to bridge the gap between classical psychoanalysis and modern cultural studies. Incorporating work such as Dobrogoszcz's "Resisting the Oppressive Paternal Metaphor of God," 2022, this study further investigates how the protagonist’s narcissistic traits challenge conventional pathology by acting as a catalyst for his moral growth and emotional awakening (Islami et al., 2023). By integrating the trickster archetype, this study further explores how these disruptive tendencies facilitate the character's transition from a celestial exile to a nuanced agent of change (Zacharia & Sreena, 2025). Furthermore, this evolution reflects a shift from the historical, malevolent representations of the Devil to a contemporary characterization that functions as a mirror for modern societal dilemmas (Camargo et al., 2020).
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