I was gonna put off watching “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” because I’m not in a mood for anything remotely apocalyptic, but then I saw this tweet from AutisticSciencePerson:
I could really use a dose of good autism representation after a terrible acceptance month, so I watched it, and then I re-watched it, and now I enthusiastically cosign.
Maybe someday we’ll get to where we can s/weird/neurodivergent/ in popular media and do so compassionately and authentically, laughing at the deficits of our spiky profiles while celebrating our strengths and whole selves.
Though we don’t get to hear the word autistic aloud, leaving the family’s neurodivergence to headcanon, there’s some great autism rep: stims, special interests, monotropism, hyperfocus, meltdowns, autistic empathy, and more.
I found the following scenes very relatable to neurodivergent family and life (mildly spoiler-ish):
“Hi. Would you like to talk to me about dinosaurs?”
“…we can make ten seconds of unobstructed family eye contact.” [straining]
“After all these years, I’m finally gonna meet my people.”
“These dinosaurs are inaccurate!”
“Check out this pencil topper.” [romantic music plays]
“What would a functional family do right now?”
“Mitchell family on three! Three.”
“Zebulon, scan those people for flaws.”
“Guys, can’t we all just be terrified together as a family.”
“We’re here because we don’t think like normal people.”
“The Mitchells have always been weird, and that’s what makes us great.”
“Don’t hide your feelings, man. That’s no way to live.”
“Just look for anyone who can’t keep it together.”
“They’re pretending to be capable.”
“What kind of maniac has one of those in his pockets at all times? This kind of maniac.”
“Rick, Rick. Let’s not re-litigate this.”
“Sometimes you have to listen to long monologues about Triceratops migration…”
“If this obstinate man could change his programming, we decided we could change ours.”
“I wonder if you could come over and talk about dinosaurs casually sometime!”
“Don’t let the world make you normal.”
“Good luck finding your people.”
“You guys are my people.”
“Raptor bash. For life.”
Source: The Mitchells vs. The Machines — Netflix
This movie is a heart-warming raptor bash for neurodivergent family. Watch it, and then watch it again to appreciate all the queer and neurodivergent touches.
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