INTJ 5w4 Characters
Christof has come up with, and devoted his entire life to, an unusual concept for a show, in which he raises a child from infancy on a television show… without the person knowing he is on one. And then he broadcasts this to the entire world, live, all the time, so people can live every moment with Truman. Presumably, he would have kept up this farce until Truman eventually died of old age—80+ years of genuine “reality television.” He has carefully constructed everything to suit and shape Truman’s psyche, from the “death” of his father (to make him afraid of the water) to positioning certain people in his life and choosing his best friend for him, someone who can keep the wool pulled over his eyes. And yet, leave is what Truman does. Christof does most of this from isolation and through technology, never appearing on his own show or setting foot in his own town (repressed sensing). He has completely monetized this concept and made millions off of exploiting Truman’s life. When Truman tries to escape, Christof knows him so well, he expects and blocks his moves with completely rational explanations. And when Truman finally reaches the wall and the door to the outer world, Christof tries to talk to him rationally and convince him to stay. He shows hubris and self-absorption in his feelings; he has created a profitable empire from which they all benefit, and it would be a shame for Truman to leave it now.
Enneagram: 5w4
It’s hard to get an interview with Christof, because he’s so reclusive; he’s had this show running for thirty years without making very many public appearances! He likes to keep things contained, he doesn’t appear to have any social life outside of his work (or even interact that much with his employees), and he is so detached from his subject, he doesn’t care that he has built a web of lies around Truman and falsified all of his major life experiences, from his romance with Meryl to the details of his father’s “death.” This is a serious emotional deadening. His idea for the show is also fantastical, something 5s are known for—they pride themselves on their unique ideas and perspectives. He also has a sense of frustration that shows up through his wing now and again—he claims to have built a “perfect world” for Truman to inhabit; isolated from genuine life experiences. The outside world is something to hate, fear, and hold contempt for because it’s imperfect; but he, in his god-like wonder, created a “better” one. It’s arrogance, elitism, and self-confidence that becomes aggression (his line to 8) when Truman tries to escape. At one point, he’s willing to drown Truman to teach him a lesson!
