Bear: the best (only?) example of a NEGATIVE flat character arc

In storytelling, a character typically starts the story one way and then goes through an arc and is changed. Conversely, there are some stories that feature what is called a flat arc: when a character doesn’t undergo any kind of change but instead changes everyone around them (usually for the better). Examples are Mary Poppins, Superman, Paddington 2, Katniss Everdeen; main characters who are so perfect or strong that they spread it to those around them and improve their world.

A “flat arc” is different from “no arc” because a character with no arc is not challenged on their beliefs. In a flat arc, the character is tempted to do wrong but sticks to their morals and ends their adventure reassured on their starting stance. Both of these types of static arcs differ from a positive/growth arc or a negative/downfall arc (where a character changes for the worse, like Walter White).

Obsession is nearly entirely from Bear’s POV and he starts the story as a passive, cowardly, self-centered person who is fixated on Nikki. He ends the story as… exactly that. He never overcomes his flaws. He has a negative status, experiences a lesson that should make him grow, but turns away from it and ultimately does not change. His status quo of passivity is challenged in the third act when Sarah dies. He tries to undo the wish (as that is his only reasonable option at this point). But then his last act is attempting to undo his one self-sacrificing/brave act with throwing up the pills. It reinforces that he has not actually changed. He doesn’t have even a glimmer of redemption.

In the end, Bear hasn’t changed, but everyone around him has; Sarah and Ian are obviously dead and Nikki is ruined. Everyone is a victim of Bear including Bear. The carnage has all stemmed from his commitment to his starting goal of keeping the relationship with Nikki. That goal would have never changed without necessity. Regardless of him trying to undo the wish in the third act, his obsession remains the driving force behind everything happening; Nikki is the manifestation of Bear’s limerence/unhealthy want for love without knowing what love is. The ending with the Romeo and Juliet style near-double demise is the result of the extremes of obsession, which is Bear’s whole theme.

This is very different from the usual “bad to worse” arcs. Because Bear doesn’t change, he gets revealed. (“Power doesn’t corrupt, it reveals.”) Circumstances around him change along the way, and he reacts how you would expect him to based on the person he is. But his core doesn’t change.

This kind of arc doesn’t seem to be an official “thing” with a label. I noticed it for the first time with Bear’s role in this movie. I’m calling it a negative flat arc (as opposed to the typical positive flat arcs). I’m sure there are other examples out there, but I’ve never seen such a focused or well-executed version of it. This movie is fascinating to me because it feels like a dark documentary inside the mind of a “normal” guy unaware he is on a monstrous journey due to abnormal circumstances.