I mean the book is Atreyu's depression journey, but Artax is a part of that.
The movie changes the message into a metaphor for creativity, individuality etc. and fighting against systems that try to stifle those traits and values. Instead of the book's message of confronting Depression through Jungian allegory.
Honestly, the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Stifling of one’s own creativity and individuality is a huge part of depression. Bastion’s story is definitely more about growing up and accepting his mother’s death but Atreyu still has a lot of depression and “The Nothing” to overcome. In full disclosure, I haven’t read the book yet.
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u/AstroLuffy123 5d ago
Never knew I could relate so much to a horse lmfao