I just saw your analysis of koba and I thought of something I would like to have your opinion about.
I think it's clear in the movie (to me at least) that Koba overthrowing Caesar and going in war with humans is a trauma response due to his backstory.
But what I wonder is if the reason he starts killing apes in the end of the movie isn't also a trauma response. Not in the sense of "I must annihilate the human race and I'll kill anyone who gets in my way" but rather a "The person I trusted to protect me betrayed me and no one defended me, so I can't trust anyone else because they're inevitably going to hurt me in the end" and then he begin to prioritize himself before anyone else because he can't allows himself to be hurt once again.
If you’re referring to this analysis, then that was written by the great @artist-issues ! It’s such a good dive into Koba’s character and his role in the narrative!!
As for my thoughts on Koba killing apes, I think you’re spot on!!!
Koba trusted and admired Caesar above all others. He’d do anything for him. Caesar was his friend, king, and idol.
So by feeling like Caesar sided with the humans (despite Caesar wanting best for everyone, not only humans), Koba has no one else he trusts. “If not Caesar, then there is no one in the world left to protect me.” And Koba would rather kill every ape, then let another human touch him. Because the only ape that could’ve protected him, no longer can.
I think at his core, Koba was still that scared little ape, locked and tortured in that human cage from his childhood. So afraid of being hurt, he mentally stays in the cage despite having already been freed.
In the finale, Koba is not only hatred, he is the embodiment of fear. The humans TERRIFY him beyond reasoning. And Caesar, his leader, protector, and closest friend, seeming to falter before them was the final straw that pushed him over the brink of insanity.
