Ludivico Treatment

During the Treatment scene, How is the spectator punished?


The treatment scene, also known as the Ludivco Technique, is when Kubrick takes all alignment the spectator has with Alex and punishes them for it. Alex is taken out of his comfort zone and is being mentally tortured effectively, this makes Alex the victim, and shows him in a vulnerable state. By punishing Alex, and showing close ups of Alex in strain and feeling sick, wanting to get out of the treatment, Kubrick makes the spectator feel uncomfortable and the film becomes unenjoyable to watch, its as if the spectator has to endure these scenes.

While Alex enjoys the films he is being shown, so does the spectator. The spectator is comfortable in watching the scenes of violence, this is encouraged by Alex's voiceover. However, Alex's voiceover changes to a negative tone during the rape scenes, this gives the spectator a negative view of the rape scenes.