Hollywood gets it right more often than they realize.

I have always really really loved the movie Coraline.  And as a child, Labyrinth.

Granted, I am in love with fantasy movies, but there is something else with these two movies that really speak to me and keep me enthralled, even after watching them 100 times.

And now I finally get it.

I've been journaling in my journal that has been my place to put my private thoughts about my journey with my mother and her narcissism and I figured it out: she is both Jareth the Goblin King and Coraline's "Other Mother".

Here is how both Jareth and the Other Mother are total narcs:

Jareth:

• Lies to Sarah, tells her "if you do what I want, I'll give you what you want".
• Keeps her in a maze of confusion (left is right, up is down).
• Sarah's entire adventure with Jareth is one riddle after another, usually with nonsensical answers that only are made to aid Jareth in confusing her more.
• Sarah's adventure is also filled with uncertainty, and a time-constraint.  My mother loves these games: "Do this in this period of time, OR ELSE, all because I said so!"
• Jareth punished Sarah for words she only spoke out of frustration, and then played a "cat and mouse" game in order for her win his approval (meaning him rewarding her with giving her brother back).
• Jareth's punishment was really just a game he was playing, but made Sarah think it was her fault (another part of the game) and did everything he could to make her fail.

The Other Mother: