In the 2021 action-comedy film Free Guy, directed by Shawn Levy, the protagonist named Guy undergoes a radical transformation from a static, passive non-player character (NPC) to a dynamic, self-aware hero. After gaining sentience one day, he breaks free from his scripted cycle and sets out on a journey to make the chaotic, virtual world of “Free City” a better place. Throughout the plot, his character development is intricately woven with various elements of comedy; these not only entertain but also serve to deepen the complexity of the narrative. By utilizing exaggeration and the incongruity and superiority theories, Free Guy explores themes of self-discovery and empowerment through a humorous lens. The opening sequence immediately establishes the film's use of exaggeration, as it follows a player engaging in extremely dangerous and larger-than-life activities (00:28); they …show more content…
When she reveals the truth, his initial disbelief and confusion are juxtaposed with the audience's understanding of the situation. After he discovers the truth, he distances himself from Molotov Girl, storms out into Free City, and tries to tell everybody the true nature of their reality, only to get interrupted by two cars colliding with him (57:46). Despite being tossed around in a comically exaggerated manner, he still manages to muster the strength to greet Officer Johnny with enthusiasm while laying down on the ground, eliciting laughter due to the absurdity and incongruity of the situation. Eventually, after Guy and Molotov Girl get back together, the latter and his friend Buddy enter the Stash to retrieve evidence of the stolen Life Itself source code. The owner of the Stash is initially hostile towards the two, but after recognizing Guy as the famous “Blue Shirt Guy,” he immediately becomes friendly and hands over the evidence