Really Internet: Cameron From ‘Ferris Bueller’ Is The Narrator From ‘Fight Club’

Is there a movie that’s more idyllically high school than Ferris Bueller’s Day Off? Even though the movie came out in the far away time of 1986, it’s still quoted and praised to this day, proving just how larger than life the movie’s titular character is. However, there is a darker side to that perfect day off.

Ferris Bueller is the source material for several internet fan theories, including perhaps the most well known theory out there: Ferris and Sloan are actually figments of Cameron’s imagination. That’s right; there are several people out there who think this (mostly) innocent romp around Chicago has more in common with Fight Club than The Breakfast Club. This theory is an older one and has been covered several times before, but a few obsessive viewers have taken it a step further. Get ready to make movie night with dad less heart-warming and more psychologically disturbing.

WHAT’S THE THEORY?

This one is an extension of the aforementioned and well-known Ferris Bueller theory that claims Ferris (Matthew Broderick) and Sloan (Mia Sara) are really figments of a depressed, abused, and lonely Cameron’s (Alan Ruck) imagination. Ferris is the imagined id to Cameron’s super-ego. That’s why everything that happens in the film is so unbelievably over-the-top and the town immediately goes into panic mode when Ferris “becomes sick.” Cameron is actually wandering around Chicago and imagining the adventures of a popular guy in his class (Ferris) and the girl he likes (Sloan).

This Redditor takes it a step further, claiming that the clearly unstable Cameron aged 13 years before he manifested his second destructive force of id — Fight Club’s Tyler Durden.

WHY IT’S NOT THAT CRAZY

Because this covers two theories, I’m going to touch on both of them. The biggest piece of evidence that supports Ferris being a figment of Cameron’s imagination has to do with character arcs. Typically, a story’s protagonist is the one who emerges from an adventure with a changed perspective. Ferris begins and ends the movie by being the same manipulative scamp we know and love. He never learns the error of his ways, and he’s never caught. However, Cameron is the one who experiences a transformation, learning to stand up for himself. As I mentioned before, this theory would also explain the more fantastic elements of the film, the impractical timeline of the movie (that iconic song took place during the Von Steuben Day parade, which is typically held on Saturday — a day everyone already has off ), and Ferris’ picture-perfect ending with Sloan.

So, assuming all of this actually took place inside Cameron’s imagination, it’s not that far of a stretch to imagine this unstable teenager would grow into an unstable adult. Cut to 13 years and a bout of insomnia later, and Cameron has now become Fight Club’s notoriously unstable Narrator (Edward Norton). There is even some sense of logic surrounding Cameron’s progression of illusions. Both Ferris and Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) are destructive forces, though Ferris is far less destructive than Tyler. Wouldn’t it make sense for a psychologically unstable adult to create more destructive hallucinations the longer his psychosis goes unchecked? Also, both Ferris and Tyler are present during pinnacle moments that involve car accidents. The theory even explains Cameron and The Narrator’s different parenting situations, accrediting The Narrator’s alternative family history to Cameron trying to escape his abusive father.

WHY IT’S QUESTIONABLE

This theory doesn’t explain the many scenes that focus on Ferris alone. There are several instances when Ferris acts, communicates, and breaks the fourth wall without Cameron being present, which isn’t the case when you look at The Narrator and Tyler. Tyler is never seen in the room without The Narrator, which is a major reason why the movie’s reveal works. However, you could argue that all of Ferris’ antics — with and without Cam — are just being imagined by this unstable teen. As for Cam becoming The Narrator, it’s certainly possible, but it’s farfetched, especially considering the enclosed universes John Hughes movies exist in.

Even if you think this theory is completely implausible, it’s still has merit because it refocuses the movie to follow Cameron. As much fun as Ferris is, Cameron’s story is a much more interesting one that explores the effects of abuse, anxiety, and depression. So next time you decide to have an ‘80s movie party, pay attention to that poor kid at the bottom of the pool and not his twisting and shouting best friend.

[Where to stream Ferris Bueller’s Day Off]

Photos: Everett Collection