Eyes

In the movie Blade Runner, I believe the reoccurring symbolism of eyes is a reference to a person’s memories and experiences. Humans use their eyes to witness the world. The things we see and experience are remembered and in turn make us who we are. I remember the last replicant to die, Roy, mentioned that all his experiences would be lost when he dies. Those experiences that make him unique would be forgotten. These same memories and experiences help form what we know as the soul. But do cyborgs have souls? This seems to be one of the main themes of the film. The common phrase “the eyes are the windows of the soul” becomes very relevant in this regard. When the replicants question the Asian eye manufacturer, they learn that Tyrell made their mind. It is not mentioned who made their soul, begging the question if a soul can even be manufactured. Towards the end of the film when Roy confronts Tyrell and is denied a longer life, he grabs Tyrell’s head and stares into his eyes. He must have seen something terrible or perhaps nothing at all, as he gouges out Tyrell’s eyes. I interpret this as Roy saying that Tyrell, his creator, has no soul as he created a life that is doomed to a short existence. Tyrell is more obsessed with scientific advancement than about the lives his creations have. The events of the film make me think that the replicant’s had souls, or at least thought they did.

I would like to finish off with saying that I very much enjoyed the movie as I had never watched it and always heard great things about it. The movie was a bit cryptic at times, but that just added to the dark, mysterious tone of the film. The flying cars also reminded me of The Fifth Element; another great movie if you haven’t seen it yet.