Three Social Anxiety Scenes in Black Panther

Social Anxiety is the true villain in the MCU, as we see in the super awesome Black Panther movie. Klaue is cool and Killmonger is even cooler. But Social Anxiety, that’s not cool.

It is one of the highest grossing super hero movies of all time, over $1.3B box office. In other words, Black Panther is a real money maker. And throw in the fact that the Black Panther character (Chadwick Boseman’s, T’Challa) played critical roles Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: EndGame, and this character just continues to climb up the ranks of popularity. Super awesome, really cool, and well deserving of its praise, Black Panther is on a whole different level of hero.

But does being a super cool, totally awesome super hero make you immune to social anxiety? Well, I guess it depends on your powers. But with Black Panther, yo this dude has some serious power. He’s got enhanced speed, strength, agility, and even healing. Social anxiety is a psychological issue (mental). Black Panther’s power is derived from a mystical, spiritual herb, so it’s possible that the healing includes psychological. We may never know.

But either way, lets look at three scene from the Black Panther movie (2018) which could trigger social anxiety in someone.

Before you continue, click here to learn a thing or two about Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). Unless of course you possess the power of the Black Panther, then you don’t really need to worry about it. 🙂

Three Social Anxiety Scenes in Black Panther

1. T’Challa at Korean Casino
2. Nakia speaking to woman outside casino
3. Okoye publicly challenges views of Killmonger

Black Panther Social Anxiety scene 1

Movie: Black Panther (2018)

Scene: T’Challa conversing with agent Ross at popular Korean casino

Anxiety Provoking Event: Socializing in a popular casino while on a secret mission

Something to know about Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): Just being in a populated social event, like a casino, nightclub, party, social gathering, etc. can lead to the nerve-racking feeling of anticipation (click here to see a detailed look at anticipation from Thor: Love and Thunder). It’s like feeling super nervous that someone will approach you and converse with you in front of other people. That super nervous feeling of anticipation can be so strong that you can start to blush and sweat without speaking a word.

Socializing at the casino

T’Challa’s mission is to capture one of the villains in the movie, Ulysses Klaue. It is a secret mission and he must maintain low profile while there. As if that isn’t anxiety-provoking enough, maintaining a strong social skillset to blend in is critical. That is where the biggest problem would be.

If T’Challa had Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), it would be exhaustingly difficult for him to be in that populated casino and maintain strong social dialogue with people. Being there would easily cause the awful Red Face, which is like everyone’s pet peeve and worst nightmare. Bright red facial blushing, profuse sweating, trembling hands, pounding heart, plus other dreadful things.

Worst part is, Red Face does not always wait for you to socialize. Just the anticipation that you need to socialize can cause it. So whether T’Challa is socializing with CIA Agent Ross, a casino guest, a waiter, or no one at all, Red Face can still find him.

Black Panther Social Anxiety scene 2

Movie: Black Panther (2018)

Scene: Nakia convincing the Korean woman to allow her into the Korean nightclub

Anxiety Provoking Event: Nakia is being watched and observed by T’Challa and Okoye as she is using social skills to persuade the woman, while speaking to her in Korean.

Something to know about Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): People with SAD do not like being watched and observed in a social setting or performance setting. There is already enough anxiety on them to begin with that the whole “being observed” thing makes them feel like they are being critiqued and scrutinized. They will feel like the people watching are gossiping to each other about them. The person being observed will convince themself that they are about to be confronted and scolded for a poor social performance. It is a messed up feeling.

Nakia’s social Skills

While speaking in Korean, Nakia needs to convince the woman to allow her, T’Challa (Black Panther), and Okoye into the casino. The woman is hesitant at first and requires some extra convincing. But Nakia is up to the challenge as he is able to overcome the woman’s rebuttal and eventually allow them to pass.

Nice work Nakia! Girl got skills, bro!

The scary part about this whole thing is that Nakia is being watched and observed by her friends T’Challa (who we later find out understands Korean too) and Okoye. If she wasn’t so comfortable with them and if she had SAD, Nakia would not have liked being watched. It would have actually ruined her social performance. She would have developed Red Face, sweating and blushing all over the place. The Korean woman would have suspected something was wrong and denied them entry. The whole plan could have been ruined if Nakia had Social Anxiety Disorder.

Black Panther Social Anxiety scene 3

Movie: Black Panther (2018)

Scene: Okoye challenging the views of the new king, Killmonger

Anxiety Provoking Event: Publicly speaking and challenging an authority figure in front of everyone

Something to know about Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): Authority figures can be intimidating for anyone. They can be annoying as hell to deal with, especially if you disagree with them. But for people with SAD, authority figures (even the nice ones) are always seen as scary. People with Social Anxiety Disorder will not challenge authority figures very much. Too much anxiety. Especially in front of other people.

Okoye Challenges Killmonger.

First let me say that Michael B Jordan’s character, Erik Killmonger, is bad-ass bro. He is one of the best villains in the MCU (next to Thanos). His tenacity, rage, and determination set him apart from everyone else. It’s also why he is an intimidating authority figure as the king of Wakanda.

Okoye challenges Killmonger’s views when she tells him that Wakanda survives by fighting only when necessary. She stands up for her culture and country, while so many other country leaders are looking on. We all know Okoye is one of the MCUs best fighters, but dam, this woman is brave standing up to Killmonger.

The problem here of course is that people with Social Anxiety Disorder would be way too uncomfortable speaking up against authority, especially in front of so many other leaders. It’s like when your stubborn d-bag boss holds a meeting in the conference room and tells everyone that they need to stay late. Uh-uh! You can’t tolerate that, but you don’t want to challenge him. You know it will put a spotlight on you and you’ll start to blush and sweat (Red Face). That is the ultimate sign of weakness and everyone there will call you out on it, especially the awful boss.

Okoye has shown that she definitely does not have Social Anxiety Disorder and backs down from no one.