Released in 1990 and directed by Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands remains one of Johnny Depp’s most iconic and memorable roles. In the film, Depp portrayed Edward – a gentle yet lonely creature who was left unfinished by his creator with scissor-like blades instead of hands. Edward’s distinctive appearance set him apart from society and led to both wonder and fear from the suburban community he encountered. Though only a film, Edward Scissorhands tells a timeless story about the struggle to find belonging while being different. At its heart, it’s a tale of misfits, misunderstanding, and the power of love and acceptance.
Edward lived isolated in a gothic mansion on a hill overlooking a typical American suburban neighborhood. Very little is known about his origins or how long he had been alone. We learn he was created by an inventor who died before being able to complete Edward, leaving him with the permanent scissor appendages in place of hands. Unable to perform basic human functions like opening doors or preparing food, Edward had no choice but to remain secluded in the only home he knew. His isolation was not by choice but rather forced upon him by his unusual physical form.
Despite his frightening visage, Edward possessed a gentle and caring soul. Though trapped in solitude, he found ways to occupy his time through intricate topiary sculptures crafted with his scissors. His talent revealed an artistic spirit and attention to delicate beauty, contradictory to his outward appearance. Edward also kept clippings, seemingly as a way to document and understand the world beyond his view. His collection indicated a yearning to connect while also highlighting how cut off he was from society.
Edward’s solitary existence changed when Avon Lady Peg Boggs stumbled upon the mansion while lost in a snowstorm. Seeing Edward’s kind nature, she brought him into her home to meet her family. There, Edward encountered Kim Boggs, a rebellious teenage girl who saw past his scissors to the person within. Drawn to his sensitivity and different perspective, Kim took Edward under her wing and introduced him to the neighborhood. The suburbanites were understandably unsettled by Edward at first sight. However, Kim and her mother advocated for him and his gentle spirit slowly won others over.
As Edward immersed himself in the community, he discovered joy in simple acts most take for granted, like mowing lawns, trimming hedges, and ice sculpting. His talent and diligence led to newfound popularity. However, beneath the surface acceptance lingered unease and distrust of his dissimilarity. Whenever an “accident” occurred that could be linked to Edward’s scissors, suspicion and fear resurfaced. As much as Kim and others cared for him, they couldn’t change that he would always look different on the outside.
Edward’s greatest challenge came in the form of Kim’s boyfriend Jim. A vain and insecure high school jock, Jim saw Edward as a threat to his relationship and status. Through manipulation and gaslighting, Jim turned the neighborhood against Edward by playing on their latent prejudice. When Edward’s scissors accidentally cut Jim during a confrontation, the townspeople’s distrust exploded and they violently chased Edward from their community. Heartbroken at losing the only place of belonging he ever knew, Edward fled back to his isolated mansion.
Tragically, their moment of happiness is cut short. Jim, still obsessed with possessing Kim, arrives with a scissor-wielding Edward doll voodoo replica to destroy. In the ensuing chaos, Edward is forced to defend himself and accidentally kills Jim, the very act that sealed his exile. Horrified, Kim flees in terror while the townspeople storm the mansion, intent on killing the “monster” in their midst. Alone once more, Edward resigns to his fate and allows the snow to reclaim him in death.
On the surface, Edward Scissorhands is a Gothic fairy tale with elements of horror. But beneath the fantastical premise lies a profound exploration of themes still relevant today – what it means to be “different” and find a sense of belonging. Edward represented the misfits, outcasts, and anyone who has ever felt like they don’t quite fit the mold society expects. His story highlighted how fear and intolerance towards those who look or act unusual often stems more from our own insecurities than any real threat.
Edward also longed for simple human connections that many take for granted – friendship, romance, community. His isolation emphasized how vital social bonds are for mental health and happiness. Even with his kind heart, artistic gifts, and best efforts to assimilate, Edward could never fully shed the stigma of his dissimilarity or change how he was viewed from the outside. His tragedy showed that sometimes, no matter how hard we try to be accepted, prejudice runs too deep for some to see past surface appearances.
Most of all, Edward and Kim’s romance symbolized the power of genuinely seeing and loving another person for who they are, not what they look like. Their brief connection gave Edward a fleeting taste of the belonging and intimacy he so desired. It reminded audiences that beneath our physical shells, we all have the same human needs and capacity for tenderness. Edward Scissorhands endures because its message of embracing diversity, defending misfits, and finding the humanity in each other still resonates. Though a work of fiction, it highlighted eternal truths about the universal human experiences of otherness, love, and the hope that understanding can overcome fear and prejudice.
In the decades since its release, Edward Scissorhands has taken on new layers of meaning as an allegory for those who face discrimination for their differences in identity or appearance. Johnny Depp’s nuanced portrayal of Edward’s gentle yet lonely soul left an indelible mark and remains one of his most iconic roles. While a product of its time, the film transcended its Gothic fantasy roots to tell a story that still resonates – of misfits, of “others”, of those who don’t fit society’s narrow boxes seeking a place to belong. At its heart, Edward Scissorhands endures as a timeless tale championing acceptance and love over fear of difference. It reminds viewers of our shared humanity and that underneath, we all wish for the same connections regardless of what separates us on the surface.
