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Sacralization of the Ordinary in Pixar: A Cine-Ritualistic Examination of Transcendence and Meaning-Making in Ratatouille, WALL-E, and Soul

Berglund, Daniel LU (2026) KRMK10 20252
Centre for Theology and Religious Studies
Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology
Abstract
This paper examines Pixar Animation Studios’ movies Ratatouille (2007), WALL-E (2008), and Soul (2020) to explore whether and how they sacralize ordinary actions, thereby transforming films into places of ritualistic meaning-making. Using ritual theory (Grimes, Bell, Turner), Paul Schrader’s transcendental style, and the framework of cine-ritualism, the study explores how audio-visual strategies can imbue existential themes into everyday acts such as cooking, cleaning, or playing music. Through close reading of the films, the findings display how Pixar in certain scenes depict transcendence by establishing repetition, attention, intention, and agency in the actions. Impacting both characters within the films as well as extradiegetically... (More)
This paper examines Pixar Animation Studios’ movies Ratatouille (2007), WALL-E (2008), and Soul (2020) to explore whether and how they sacralize ordinary actions, thereby transforming films into places of ritualistic meaning-making. Using ritual theory (Grimes, Bell, Turner), Paul Schrader’s transcendental style, and the framework of cine-ritualism, the study explores how audio-visual strategies can imbue existential themes into everyday acts such as cooking, cleaning, or playing music. Through close reading of the films, the findings display how Pixar in certain scenes depict transcendence by establishing repetition, attention, intention, and agency in the actions. Impacting both characters within the films as well as extradiegetically for the viewer, gestures and objects are constructed in ways that mimic ritualistic elements. This sacralization functions as a center for personal and narrative development, supporting community bonding, and establishing sites for meaning-making. On a broader scope, the paper addresses significant gaps by applying frameworks to new forms, clarifying storytelling strategies, and consequently demonstrating how commercial cinema can function as a ritual medium in a modern context. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Berglund, Daniel LU
supervisor
organization
course
KRMK10 20252
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Cine-ritualism, Transcendental Style, Ritual Theory, Sacralization, Pixar Animation Studios, Ritualization, Meaning-making.
language
English
id
9220165
date added to LUP
2026-01-22 07:43:07
date last changed
2026-01-22 07:43:07
@misc{9220165,
  abstract     = {{This paper examines Pixar Animation Studios’ movies Ratatouille (2007), WALL-E (2008), and Soul (2020) to explore whether and how they sacralize ordinary actions, thereby transforming films into places of ritualistic meaning-making. Using ritual theory (Grimes, Bell, Turner), Paul Schrader’s transcendental style, and the framework of cine-ritualism, the study explores how audio-visual strategies can imbue existential themes into everyday acts such as cooking, cleaning, or playing music. Through close reading of the films, the findings display how Pixar in certain scenes depict transcendence by establishing repetition, attention, intention, and agency in the actions. Impacting both characters within the films as well as extradiegetically for the viewer, gestures and objects are constructed in ways that mimic ritualistic elements. This sacralization functions as a center for personal and narrative development, supporting community bonding, and establishing sites for meaning-making. On a broader scope, the paper addresses significant gaps by applying frameworks to new forms, clarifying storytelling strategies, and consequently demonstrating how commercial cinema can function as a ritual medium in a modern context.}},
  author       = {{Berglund, Daniel}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Sacralization of the Ordinary in Pixar: A Cine-Ritualistic Examination of Transcendence and Meaning-Making in Ratatouille, WALL-E, and Soul}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}