THE REPRESENTATION OF SOCIAL MESSAGES THROUGH CHARACTERS, CONFLICT, AND SYMBOLISM IN THE FILM 23 DETIK

Deby Salsabila; Dwi Maharani; Sesil Savira; Dimas Umboro; Desy Misnawati

doi:10.36526/sosioedukasi.v15i3.9170

Authors

Deby Salsabila Communication Science Study Program, Faculty of Social Humanities, Bina Darma University, Palembang, Indonesia
Dwi Maharani Communication Science Study Program, Faculty of Social Humanities, Bina Darma University, Palembang, Indonesia
Sesil Savira Communication Science Study Program, Faculty of Social Humanities, Bina Darma University, Palembang, Indonesia
Dimas Umboro Communication Science Study Program, Faculty of Social Humanities, Bina Darma University, Palembang, Indonesia
Desy Misnawati Communication Science Study Program, Faculty of Social Humanities, Bina Darma University, Palembang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36526/sosioedukasi.v15i3.9170

Keywords:

Social Message; Character; Conflict; Symbolism; Narrative Analysis.

Abstract

Existing film studies commonly examine moral messages, isolated visual signs, or verbal–nonverbal communication separately, leaving limited explanation of how narrative elements jointly construct social messages. This study analyzes how social messages are represented through character, conflict, dialogue, nonverbal expression, and symbolism in 23 Detik. Using a qualitative descriptive design and narrative analysis, data were obtained through repeated observation and documentation of scenes, dialogue, gestures, settings, cinematography, and recurring symbols. The data were reduced, coded, categorized, displayed, and interpreted by linking narrative evidence with representation and semiotic theory. Findings show that Wisnu, Somchai, and Miya embody resilience, social responsibility, and parental love shaped by trauma; internal, interpersonal, and external conflicts dramatize family separation and identity struggles; and the tsunami, beach, fighting arena, training camp, Pencak Silat, and Muay Thai function as symbolic structures of loss, struggle, cultural encounter, and reconciliation. Verbal and nonverbal signs reinforce one another, while narrative coherence and cultural relevance strengthen the film’s communicative potential. The novelty lies in an integrated analytical framework that treats character, conflict, verbal–nonverbal communication, and symbolism as a single meaning-making system. Theoretically, the study extends narrative analysis in communication studies by showing how representation and semiotic processes operate across interconnected audiovisual elements.

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