mentor-student bond

His films like 'The 400 Blows' and 'Small Change' deeply explore the formative relationships between adults and children, examining how mentorship shapes identity and belonging.

His works consistently feature profound mentor-student dynamics where wise, nurturing figures guide protagonists through self-discovery, as seen in 'Spirited Away' and 'Howl's Moving Castle.'

His films explore dark, complex power dynamics and mentorship through psychological horror, examining how influence shapes vulnerability and trauma in works like 'Hereditary' and 'Midsommar.'