Love, According to My Childhood | Passion, Rebellion, and Chaos

Well, dear readers, just like many of you, I grew up watching the most bizarre things on telly. I practically had a "VIP pass" to the weirdest and most varied content you could imagine. Honestly, there was zero supervision at home, so I could spend hours upon hours in front of the screen, and no one would bat an eyelid. Sad but true. I know I'm not the only one who lived like this, and while it might sound a bit dramatic now, the truth is it didn’t bother me that much at the time. Looking back after all these years, I probably should have had more supervision. Then again, with it, I wouldn’t have discovered so many incredible films and series. I watched everything, and although not all of it was age-appropriate, I still learned a thing or two. Sometimes, I’d learn valuable lessons, like cherishing true love (though, spoiler alert: it was often wildly distorted). Other times, I learned things… well, things I’d rather not have learned, like the fact that not everything that seems romantic actually is.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a hopeless romantic; I was that kid who constantly spun stories in her head, often casting herself as the protagonist or, of course, the love interest of the classic bad boy. I remember always watching romantic films—those really cheesy ones that others would criticise, but that had me sobbing as if the world were ending—. As Joaquín Sabina (a Spanish singer and one of my favourites) said, “I even cry at the cheesiest love films.” And honestly, the films I’m about to talk about, always (or almost always) manage to draw a tear or two from me. I’m not sure whether it’s love, nostalgia, or something else entirely, but there I am, all emotional. When you find out which films I’m talking about, you’ll probably say, “What on earth is wrong with you, love?” But hey, everyone’s got their peculiar tastes, haven’t they?

Fair warning, though: there will be spoilers. I won’t ruin everything (or will I?), but some important details might slip out. I know it’s impossible to watch every film ever made, no matter how brilliant some are or how they smashed the box office back in the day. But hey, it’s worth a shot, isn’t it?

Oh, and before you start: please, spare me the spammy comments like, “Great article. Check out my post and give it a like.” At least leave a comment about my article. It’s such a let-down reading pointless remarks when you’re hoping for interesting reflections. Be original, yeah? That’s the whole point!

★

Whenever I get the chance to chat about these films with my mates (the biggest geeks in town), I go all in. Each one has its own special kind of magic, and, truth be told, they shaped a significant part of my childhood (though, thinking about it now, it might not have been the healthiest thing to watch them as a kid). Still, lovely people, those stories made me believe in love at all costs, no matter how bizarre, bloody, or rebellious it was. So here I go, diving into how Natural Born Killers, Cry-Baby, and Sweeney Todd turned my head into a whirlwind of love and chaos, making me wish for a story like that (though, in hindsight, maybe not).

They were my introduction to love—but not the kind of love you’d find in romantic comedies—. Oh no, no, no! We’re talking wild, rebellious, bloody, and, let’s be honest, very toxic love.

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Natural Born Killers: Love at Its Maddest

I first watched Natural Born Killers as a child —probably around 4 or 5 years old—. Yes, I know, what on Earth was I doing watching this of all things?! But my household had no filters: if it was on TV, we watched it. And little me was plopped in front of the screen, no questions asked. I vividly remember being mesmerised by Mickey (played by Woody Harrelson—one of my ultimate crushes, no contest—) and Mallory (the wild woman I still loving today). They exuded raw passion with every move. Their chemistry was explosive—borderline erotic, really—. To my young mind, they were the Bonnie and Clyde of the '90s, but with more insanity and bloodshed.

The “love” here It was easy to get —though let’s be honest, there was an allure to their violent rampage— it was how, amid the chaos, they fiercely protected one another. To my innocent little brain, that was “true love” (thank you, Quentin Tarantino, for seeding this notion to me). They were the ultimate team, ready to face the world head-on. Now, with the benefit of hindsight (and adulthood), I understand that the film is a scathing critique of media sensationalism, but back then? I wanted my own Mickey to conquer the world with—preferably minus the gunfire—.

Natural Born Killers isn’t for the faint-hearted. Even now, I struggle to watch it without flinching at the psychedelic visuals and sheer brutality. But despite the blood and chaos, the romance still fascinates me. Of the three films I’m discussing, this one takes the top spot. If you haven’t seen it, brace yourself—it’s intense, but undeniably intriguing. And yes, you might even chuckle a few times amidst the madness.

THEY ARE MY JOKER AND HARLEY QUINN

Cry-Baby: Rebels with a Cause and a Love That Defies All

This film was pure joy to my childhood self. I first saw it at around three or five years old on TCM during a late-night binge. Out of the three films here, this one hooked me first. Let’s talk about Johnny as Wade “Cry Baby” Walker—the quintessential bad boy; Leather jacket, slicked-back hair, a devil-may-care attitude—…He was THE epitome of cool, and I fell hard.

Cry Baby and Allison’s love story was everything: the edgy bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks falling for the prim and proper girl from a world of “Squares” (or as we’d say in Argentina, chetos). It was the kind of forbidden romance every hopeless romantic dreams of. Yep, very young but I’d belt out the movie’s songs at the top of my lungs—terribly mispronounced, of course, as my English skills were rudimentary at best—and imagine myself as Allison, leaving everything behind for my rebel heartthrob.

The film had this perfect blend of over the top ridiculousness and heartfelt sincerity. The “villains” (her family) were absurd, the “heroes” (his friends) impossibly cool, and the love story somehow made you believe you could conquer anything with a bit of swagger—even rigid 1950s societal norms.— It’s like Grease, but if Tim Burton had directed it (and honestly, why didn’t he?).

He don't belong in prison, though he's guilty as can be

Sweeney Todd: Blood as a Metaphor for Love

Ah, Sweeney Todd. The film that introduced me to the haunting brilliance of Tim Burton and traumatised me with razors and cannibalistic pies. I was around 8 or 9 when I first saw it, and it was…disturbing film from the start. Johnny Depp (again—he was on a roll in my cinematic upbringing—) plays Sweeney Todd, a barber with a penchant for slitting throats, while Helena Bonham Carter’s Mrs Lovett lovingly bakes his victims into pies. Disturbing? Absolutely. But also… oddly romantic?

Mrs Lovett’s one sided love for Sweeney fascinated me. She adored him with a devotion that bordered on madness, despite him being utterly consumed by his quest for revenge. Little me naïvely thought, If she loves him enough, maybe he’ll notice and they’ll live happily ever after. Spoiler: They don’t. But their twisted dynamic stuck with me. It taught me that love can be dark, obsessive, and unrequited—and still feel profoundly moving—.

The music, of course, was another highlight. Even though I didn’t fully understand the lyrics back then, the melancholy melodies brought me to tears. To this day I feel a pang of heartbreak for Mrs Lovett and a healthy dose of anger at Sweeney for what he did to her. Their relationship wasn’t healthy by any stretch, but it was unforgettable.

It's always been just him and me, together

Honourable Mentions:

• Violet and Tate Langdon from American Horror Story

Oh, what a pair of nutters. This couple left quite an impression during my teenage years. Back when the show was all the rage, I was fully invested in it too. Sadly, their story doesn’t end well—and yes, mostly because of Tate—. Still there was something about their eerie, twisted connection that stuck with me.

• Sarah and Eric from The Crow (the old-school version)

They don’t get loads of screen time together, but even so, I adore them. Honestly, I just had to mention them—like, it’s the rules, right? (Cue awkward laugh here!)—

• James and Alyssa from The End of the Fing World

Of course, they had to make an appearance here. I’m not exactly a hardcore fan of the series, but back in the day, I absolutely loved it. There’s something so absurdly relatable about their rebellion fuelled journey that makes them irresistible.

Love, According to My Childhood: Passion, Rebellion, and Chaos

(The End)

These films taught me that love is often messy, chaotic, and a little (or a lot) unconventional —but it’s worth the risk. Looking back again what drew me in was the intensity. Each story featured characters who defied the odds, broke the rules, and gave themselves over to love completely—no matter the cost—.

They were a masterclass in passion, albeit not the fluffy, picture perfect kind. They showed me that love isn’t always easy or beautiful. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, complicated, and full of mistakes. But it’s also what makes life feel vibrant and extraordinary.

And honestly? A tiny part of me still craves that kind of epic, rule breaking romance (minus the toxic bits—let’s not glorify unhealthy relationships anymore, please—).

(Mental note: No more idealising toxic love. Ever again.)