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As someone who looks up fan theories professionally, I can confidently say that most fan theories are crazy. They’re often the product of wild speculation and likely fair amount of substance use. However, every now and then a theory will pop up that redefines how you look at a certain piece of pop culture. It makes sense that one of those theories would be attached to one of the most subversive and confusing children’s movies of all time, Labyrinth.
Welcome to Really Internet, a corner of the web devoted to examining the best, worst, and weirdest fan theories people have to offer. Let’s dive in, shall we?
WHAT’S THE THEORY
Most people believe that Labyrinth, the 1986 movie directed by Jim Henson, executive produced by George Lucas, and starring the great David Bowie, is a movie about self-discovery. However, one Reddit user proposes a much darker and more intense background to this beloved cult film. Sarah’s (Jennifer Connelly) journey through the labyrinth to save her brother is actually a story of self-acceptance and learning to survive sexual assault.
WHY IT’S NOT THAT INSANE
This isn’t the first time this theory has been floated. Between the movie’s clear sexual themes, especially when it comes to Jareth (Bowie), and Sarah’s established lack of interest in boys, there’s certainly something more adult happening in this children’s movie. However, this theory from a user called TheWard more clearly spells out evidence for Sarah’s possible abuse and presents an abuser — Jeremy, the stepfather played by none other than David Bowie.
This theory is a long one, but it essentially boils down to this: the way Jareth interacts with Sarah is romantically tinged, over-the-top, and often hostile. At one point, the Goblin King literally drugs this teenage girl, and during their final encounter, the way he talks to Sarah is reminiscent of the way an abuser would talk to his victim. He criticizes Sarah for being thankless for what he’s done for her, arguing that the nice things he’s done more than make up for his hostility. At one point he even says, “Just let me rule you and you can have everything that you want.”
That’s when Sarah is finally able to stand up for herself. She finally realizes what she has to do and, quoting her novel, she says, “You have no power over me.” That’s the spell that breaks everything and returns her home with Toby in tow.
Jareth and Sarah certainly have an odd, vaguely erotic relationship, but the thing that tips the scales from sexually confusing in an ‘80s fashion to possibly about sexual assault is Bowie’s character. Before we ever meet the Goblin King, Bowie makes an onscreen appearance — in a picture as Sarah’s stepfather. Jeremy as a character is explained much more in the books, and the fan theory explores this. Because the Goblin King clearly represents an adult in Sarah’s life, the movie takes on a much more sinister tone. The fan theory makes a better argument than my TL;DR version and is worth the read, even if it’s on the long side.
WHY IT’S QUESTIONABLE
It’s completely possible that the internal demons Sarah is struggling with have nothing to do with sex. She has a new stepfather, a new family, and a new brother that she doesn’t want. Change in general is hard for a kid, especially divorce, and the movie does a great job addressing how hard it is to embrace change and be self-assured. Even without this dark second message, Labyrinth is already a more compelling story than most children’s movies. However, it’s hard to ignore how cruel, possessive, and sexually charged Jareth is toward this underage protagonist. Jareth is a disturbing and disturbingly sexual antagonist. The fact he has a real-life clone is even more unsettling.
If you wanted, you could also explain Jareth’s sexuality away by the fact he was played by Bowie. The late musical genius had an indisputable raw sexuality. It’s possible that Bowie wasn’t supposed to be that sexual of a figure, but Bowie (and those pants) changed things. Either way, this theory does what a good fan theory does — use speculation to examine a part of pop culture in a different light. In this case, Sarah’s story is even more compelling and incredible.
