<![CDATA[This study discusses the representation of Maslow’s love and belongingness needs in the movie Better Off Dead (2025) by Kristo Immanuel. Although many critics have highlighted the issue of social acceptance in the Better Off Dead movie, unfortunately, existing research on the film remains strictly confined to technical production dimensions. The writer examines how the characters Gema, Danu, Adriana, and Pak Cokro deal with their unmet needs in the workplace by using a qualitative approach. The findings show that each character engages in performative behaviors to fulfil love and belongingness needs. Gema, motivated by earlier family neglect, turns to fabricating his, his family’s, and his pet’s deaths to gain sympathy and attention from colleagues. Similarly, Danu and Adriana use false personas aligned with Gen Z social trends—such as fake international travel and coffee culture—to maintain relevance and social connection. Lastly, Pak Cokro shifts his choice of words to narrow generational gaps and be accepted by his younger colleagues. Beyond the cinematic text, this study underscores the broader psychological reality that unmet belongingness needs directly trigger performative behaviors and identity shifts within modern organizational settings.]]>
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