Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Roy Neary is just a regular guy living his suburban dad life when—BAM—he gets zapped by a UFO and suddenly decides mashed potatoes are the key to the universe. While everyone else is trying to live normal lives, Roy spirals into full-blown conspiracy mode, trashing his house and scaring his family away in pursuit of a giant mountain he keeps seeing in his head. Meanwhile, the government is super shady (because of course they are) and is covering up alien activity like it's just another Tuesday. Eventually, Roy and a few other true believers trek to Devil’s Tower, where—surprise!—the aliens finally show up and start beeping out their space mixtape. Instead of taking notes, Roy just hops on the mothership like it’s a galactic Uber, presumably heading off to a planet where mashed potatoes are the dominant life form. The end.

Film Facts:Here are five little-known facets about the making of Close Encounters of the Third Kind:

François Truffaut Didn't Speak Much English – Legendary French filmmaker François Truffaut, who played UFO expert Claude Lacombe, barely spoke English during filming. He had to learn his lines phonetically and relied on a translator on set. Spielberg cast him because he wanted a real-life visionary to play the role, despite the language barrier.

The Mothership Sound Was Inspired by a Synthesizer Accident – The iconic five-note alien communication sequence was created by composer John Williams through trial and error. At one point, a synthesizer malfunctioned and played a sequence in a way that caught Spielberg’s attention, leading to the final version used in the film.

The Famous "Sunburn" Look Was Actually Makeup Magic – Richard Dreyfuss’ character, Roy Neary, gets a sunburn-like effect from his close encounter with the UFOs. Instead of using lights or special effects, the makeup team achieved the look by carefully applying different shades of red and pink to his face, making it appear as though he had been exposed to intense radiation.

The Little Alien Puppets Were Operated by Kids – The small, delicate aliens seen at the end of the film weren’t CGI (because, well, it was 1977), but rather puppets operated by children in rubber suits. Spielberg believed kids would naturally move in a more ethereal, unearthly way than adults or animatronics.

The Government's "Gas Leak" Cover Story Was Based on a Real Conspiracy Theory – In the film, the government fakes a chemical spill to clear out the area near Devil’s Tower. Spielberg took inspiration from real-life UFO conspiracy theories, where people claimed the government covered up sightings with false reports of gas leaks, biological hazards, or even swamps full of glowing bugs.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind and the Desire to Be Understood

Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) is, on the surface, a science fiction film about UFOs and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. However, at its core, the movie explores something deeply human: the longing to be understood, especially when experiencing something that others cannot comprehend. The protagonist, Roy Neary, finds himself obsessed with a mysterious vision after encountering a UFO, and his relentless pursuit of its meaning isolates him from his family and society. His journey reflects a universal struggle—when we go through something personal and difficult to explain, we often feel alone in our experiences and crave connection, understanding, and validation.

Through Roy’s obsession, the skepticism he faces, the stigma attached and his eventual moment of understanding with the extraterrestrials, Close Encounters serves as a powerful metaphor for the human need to be seen, believed, and embraced, even when our experiences do not make sense to those around us.

Roy Neary’s Isolation and the Struggle to Be Understood

Roy Neary, played by Richard Dreyfuss, is an ordinary man whose life is upended after a brief encounter with an unidentified flying object. Following this experience, he becomes consumed by strange visions of a mountain-like shape, feeling an inexplicable pull toward something greater. He does not understand why he feels this way, and worse, no one around him does either.

His family, particularly his wife, becomes frustrated with his increasingly erratic behavior. She sees his obsession as a sign of mental instability rather than a genuine experience. Friends and neighbors dismiss him, and society at large treats those who have seen UFOs as either delusional or attention-seeking. This reflects a painful reality for many people who undergo personal struggles that are difficult to articulate—whether it be mental illness, grief, trauma, or spiritual awakenings. Like Roy, they face skepticism and isolation because their experiences do not fit within conventional understanding.

This part of the film mirrors real-life situations where people going through internal battles struggle to find someone who truly listens. Whether dealing with depression, existential crises, or unexplained personal transformations, individuals often encounter resistance from those who prefer to rationalize or dismiss what they do not understand.Let’s pause for just a moment and discuss the s-word. No, not the one you’re thinking of. I’m talking about stigma.Stigma is a powerful, social force that labels individuals or groups as different, undesirable, or inferior based on things like their mental health, physical illness or personal choices. It often stems from fear, misunderstanding, or deeply ingrained societal norms and shows itself in discrimination, exclusion, or negative stereotypes.

When people experience stigma, they may be unfairly judged, treated with hostility, or denied opportunities, leading to a cycle of social isolation and marginalization. Over time, stigma can become internalized, causing individuals to feel shame, guilt, or worthlessness, even when they’ve done nothing wrong.People with mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia, often face judgment and discrimination. They may be perceived as weak, dangerous, or incapable, leading to difficulties in employment, relationships, and access to proper healthcare. This stigma can prevent individuals from seeking the help they need due to fear of being labeled or misunderstood.People with ADHD like myself and others I know are often unfairly labeled as lazy, careless, or lacking discipline, rather than being recognized as individuals managing a neurodevelopmental disorder. This stigma can lead to frustration, low self-esteem, and feelings of inadequacy, especially when our struggles with focus, impulsivity, or organization are misunderstood. In school and the workplace, we may face criticism for our learning or work habits, which can discourage some of us from seeking accommodations or support. Over time, the fear of judgment may cause individuals with ADHD to mask their symptoms, overcompensate, or withdraw from opportunities, ultimately limiting their personal and professional growth.

The emotional damage caused by stigma can be profound and long-lasting. It can erode self-esteem, contribute to anxiety and depression, and create a sense of loneliness or hopelessness. People who experience stigma may withdraw from social interactions, avoid seeking help, or struggle with feelings of unworthiness. In extreme cases, persistent stigma can lead to self-destructive behaviors or a reluctance to pursue personal and professional goals. Breaking the cycle of stigma requires education, empathy, and open conversations that challenge harmful stereotypes and promote understanding, acceptance, and support.

In Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Roy Neary experiences intense stigma as he becomes obsessed with the strange visions and UFO encounters that disrupt his life. His fixation on an unknown force alienates him from his family, who see his behavior as irrational and delusional rather than the pursuit of a profound truth. As Roy relentlessly chases answers, he faces ridicule, skepticism, and eventual isolation, both from his loved ones and society at large.The stigma surrounding his experiences drives a wedge between him and his wife, leading to the breakdown of his marriage and pushing him further into solitude. Despite this, Roy’s unwavering belief in what he has seen fuels his determination, illustrating how stigma can force individuals to choose between societal acceptance and personal truth. His journey highlights the emotional toll of being dismissed and misunderstood, yet also the resilience required to break free from societal expectations.

One of the most poignant themes in Close Encounters is Roy’s relentless pursuit of meaning. He doesn’t just want answers—he needs to know that what he is experiencing is real and that he isn’t alone in feeling this way. This is a reflection of the human desire to make sense of difficult emotions, experiences, or callings that don’t fit neatly into everyday life.

This also speaks to the need for validation. When people go through something difficult, they often just want someone to say, I believe you. I understand what you’re feeling. Without this validation, they may feel alienated, much like Roy does before he finally meets others who share his experience. Once again we’re met with the importance of understanding we aren’t alone…whether you believe that with regards to the Universe at large or simply believe that in the struggles we face as a society here on Earth.

Roy’s journey ultimately leads him to Devil’s Tower, where he finds others who have also been drawn by the same vision. This moment is a turning point—not only does he realize he is not alone, but he also discovers that others have experienced the same inexplicable pull. This reflects the deep relief that comes from finding people who understand what we are going through, even when the rest of the world does not.

The film’s climactic moment, when the aliens finally arrive and communicate through music and light, is symbolic of true understanding. The extraterrestrials do not speak English, nor do they need to. Instead, they connect through a universal language—art, sound, and emotion. This is a profound representation of how deep understanding does not always require words. Sometimes, connection happens through shared experience, empathy, or even just presence.

Roy’s decision to leave Earth with the aliens can be interpreted in different ways, but at its heart, it’s about him finally finding a place where he feels seen and understood. It’s a resolution to his internal struggle, proving that he wasn’t crazy, that his feelings were real, and that there was meaning behind his journey all along.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind resonates with audiences because it taps into a fundamental human truth: we all want to be heard, understood, and validated, especially in moments of personal crisis. When we go through something difficult—whether it’s an emotional struggle, a transformative experience, or an existential question—it’s painful to feel dismissed or misunderstood. Roy’s story is, in many ways, our story: a search for meaning, a fight against alienation, and the hope that somewhere, someone will finally understand.For Believers, there’s an understanding that the Creator is with us but that takes faith which, in turn, requires a level or work to change our way of thinking—that everything worthy of being understood should be presented to us in a way that is easily digestible, without conflict. And that it wouldn’t be unique to just an individual, but something everyone experiences in the same way and at the same time.For non-Believers it may be having an “Encounter” of their own with a meeting at AA, running into an old friend at a local coffee shop or even a healthy and positive interaction with someone you don’t know over social media. (Yes, social media can still be used to create positive interactions with others we aren’t familiar with without arguing about politics, religion or who the better superhero is.)

I encourage you to take the opportunity to experience Close Encounters of the Third Kind again. This time, put yourself in Roy Neary’s shoes and try to feel the intense pressure, loss and confusion—as well as the wonder—that he goes through. Find a dark room, a big screen and a plate of mashed potatoes to sculpt and let Spielberg tell you yet another powerful story.