The Lawnmower Man story

movie: The Lawnmower Man (1992) · 1992-03-06

A scientist experiments on an intellectually disabled greenskeeper in an effort to give him greater intelligence. The experiments give him superhuman abilities, but enhance his aggression, turning him into a man obsessed with evolving into a digital being.

22 total · 2 choice · 4 major · 16 minor

ThemeLevelMotivation
intelligence augmentation technology choice Dr. Angelo boosted the intelligence of the intellectually disabled greenskeeper Jobe to superhuman levels through the use of a combination of psychoactive drugs and virtual reality cognitive performance enhancing training exercises.
speculative virtual reality choice The film made much of the this newly emerging technology: Dr. Angelo made extensive use of virtual reality to boost Jobe's intelligence, and Jobe ultimately uploaded his mind to a virtual environment.
hubris major Jobe got pretty full of himself after acquiring superhuman intelligence. He at one point asserted "I am God here" in reference to his virtual reality domain.
mind uploading major Jobe used the lab equipment to enter the VSI mainframe and become a digital being, leaving his body behind like a husk.
super intelligence major The intellectually disabled greenskeeper Jobe has his intelligence boosted to superhuman levels.
virtual person major Jobe used the lab equipment to enter the VSI mainframe and become a digital being, leaving his body behind like a husk.
Catholicism minor Jobe, who was living on the grounds of a Catholic church, was shown cleaning an altar and voicing prayers in empty repetition.
child abuse minor Harold hit his young son Peter upside the head over a minor indiscretion.
father and son minor Harold hit his young son Peter upside the head over a minor indiscretion.
feeling neglected in a relationship minor Caroline walked out on her husband, Dr. Angelo, because all he could think about was his research project.