The Shapeshifter Theory in His Face All Red
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In Emily Carroll’s haunting webcomic His Face All Red, the unsettling events center around the mysterious return of the protagonist’s brother after his apparent death. I argue that the returned brother is not human but a shapeshifter that took his form after the protagonist killed him in the woods. Several key elements in the story support this interpretation, including the ominous imagery of the dark hole, brother’s return, the strange behaviors of the returned “brother”, and the protagonist's reflection on his dead brother. These details reveal the story’s deeper horror: the idea of a dangerous outsider not just killing but blending into human society without suspicion. The shapeshifter perfectly mimics the brother, using his appearance and charisma to earn the villagers’ trust while leaving the protagonist helpless. The true terror lies in the protagonist’s inability to expose the truth—his guilt over the murder silences him, and no one would believe him even if he tried. Together, the shapeshifter’s deception and the protagonist’s isolation create a chilling tale about powerlessness and manipulation.
The Dak Hole in the Woods
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The imagery of the dark hole where the protagonist buried his brother is another key element supporting the shapeshifter theory. The protagonist repeatedly returns to this image, reinforcing the certainty that he killed and buried his brother there. In one panel, the protagonist stares into the hole, saying, “I buried him myself,” which confirms his memory of the act. The hole is depicted as unnaturally deep and dark, giving it an eerie, almost otherworldly quality. It feels like more than just a grave—it could represent a portal or a place where something unnatural emerged. The fact that the brother returns despite the protagonist’s certainty of his death suggests that the hole is connected to his reappearance. The protagonist’s growing fear as he reflects on the hole reinforces the idea that it’s tied to the shapeshifter’s origin. The repeated focus on the hole serves as a reminder of the unnatural forces at work and the impossibility of the brother’s resurrection.
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The brother’s return is disturbingly perfect, which immediately raises questions about his true nature. If the brother had somehow survived, he would likely show some kind of injury or weakness. However, he comes back unharmed, his coat wasn’t torn, calm, and completely at ease, as if nothing happened. This is in sharp contrast to the protagonist’s growing guilt and fear, which makes the brother’s perfection feel unnatural. One panel captures the brother’s arrival at the family home, where he appears flawless despite the protagonist’s certainty that he buried him in the woods. This stark difference between the protagonist’s memory and the reality of his brother’s return highlights the impossibility of the situation. The protagonist’s disbelief and unease in this scene support the idea that the returned brother is not human but something that has replaced him. His calmness and lack of explanation add to the mystery and make it clear that something far more sinister is at play. Also in a lot of images that are shown on this post, readers can notice the way the brother’s eyes are concealed. Eyes are often seen as a way to show someone’s true self, and the brother’s hidden eyes might mean he’s not truly human. It could suggest that he’s just copying the brother’s appearance but doesn’t have the emotions or soul that make someone real. This detail also makes him seem more mysterious and unsettling, which fits with the idea that he’s pretending to be someone he’s not.
The Brother’s Suspicious Nighttime Behavior
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Another key moment supporting the shapeshifter theory is the panel where the protagonist sees his “brother” digging in the middle of the night. This behavior is both unnatural and secretive, highlighting the creature’s need to hide its true nature. A human brother would have no reason for such furtive actions, but a shapeshifter might be concealing evidence of its origins or erasing traces of its transformation. The imagery of digging also ties back to the earlier dark hole in the woods, suggesting a symbolic connection between the creature’s actions and the burial of the real brother. The protagonist’s silent observation reflects his growing realization that the figure before him is not his true brother. His fear and hesitation underscore the shapeshifter’s power, reinforcing its dominance and the protagonist’s powerlessness. This moment reveals the creature’s calculated efforts to maintain its disguise, solidifying its identity as a shapeshifter rather than a human being.
The Protagonist’s Reflection on the Dead Brother
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One of the most chilling moments in the story comes in the final panel, where the protagonist sees the real brother’s red, decayed face in the grave. This stark visual serves as undeniable proof that the real brother never left the hole. His decomposing body contrasts sharply with the flawless appearance of the “brother” living in the village. The red, decayed face symbolizes death and decay, highlighting the impossibility of the real brother’s return. This revelation forces the protagonist—and the reader—to confront the horrifying question: if the real brother is still on the ground, what is walking around in his place? The panel confirms that the person everyone sees is not the brother but something else imitating him. This moment also ties back to the protagonist’s guilt and helplessness. He knows the truth but cannot share it, as no one would believe him. The shapeshifter has fully taken over the brother’s life, leaving the protagonist haunted by the knowledge of what he has done and powerless to stop what’s happening.
Counter-Arguments and Responses
Some readers may argue against the shapeshifter theory, offering alternative explanations for the events in His Face All Red. These interpretations focus on the possibilities that the brother survived the forest, the wolf was the true culprit, the story is symbolic of guilt, or that the returned brother is a doppelgänger. While each argument has its merits, the evidence in the story strongly supports the shapeshifter theory.
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One counter-argument is that the brother somehow survived the forest and wasn’t replaced by a Beast. This explanation assumes that the brother narrowly escaped death and returned home, possibly motivated by fear or forgiveness. His perfect appearance could be attributed to luck. However, this theory falls apart under closer examination. The protagonist is certain he buried his brother in the dark hole, and the story makes this act a central focus. The returned brother’s calm demeanor and lack of injuries feel too unnatural to be explained by survival. A real survivor might show some emotional reaction—relief, anger, or even confusion—rather than the unsettling confidence displayed by the returned brother. This behavior, along with the dark hole’s ominous presence, points to the brother being replaced by something inhuman.
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Another counter-argument is that the wolf the brothers hunted was the true culprit responsible for the killings in the village. Under this interpretation, the story is more straightforward: the wolf’s death ended the killings, and the protagonist’s guilt is unrelated to any supernatural force. While this explanation seems plausible at first, it ignores key details. The protagonist’s unease continues even after the wolf is killed, suggesting that the problem was never resolved. The wolf’s death feels like a red herring designed to mislead both the characters and the readers. If the wolf were the true threat, the brother’s return wouldn’t be as significant or disturbing. The unease surrounding his return, coupled with his suspicious behavior, strengthens the idea that the wolf was never the real Beast.
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Some readers interpret the story as a symbolic exploration of guilt rather than a supernatural tale. From this perspective, the brother’s return reflects the protagonist’s psychological torment and inability to cope with his actions. His guilt and paranoia manifest as an idealized version of his brother, further isolating him from reality. While guilt undeniably plays a major role in the story, this interpretation doesn’t fully address the supernatural elements. The dark hole, the digging scene, and the decayed body of the real brother all suggest a more literal horror. If the brother’s return were purely symbolic, these details would be unnecessary. Instead, the story combines psychological and supernatural horror, with the shapeshifter’s presence amplifying the protagonist’s guilt.
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Finally, the doppelgänger theory offers another alternative explanation. In folklore, a doppelgänger is a double or duplicate of a person, often seen as a harbinger of doom. According to this theory, the brother’s return could be explained by a doppelgänger replacing him. This theory aligns with the brother’s perfect mimicry and his unsettling behavior. However, doppelgängers are often depicted as existing alongside the original person, creating confusion about who is real. In His Face All Red, the original brother’s body remains in the grave, and there is no overlap between him and the returned brother. This makes the shapeshifter theory more compelling, as shapeshifters are known to fully assume a person’s identity. The digging scene also suggests deliberate and active deception, which fits better with the cunning nature of a shapeshifter than the passive existence of a doppelgänger.
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At its heart, His Face All Red is a story about betrayal. This theme appears in many ways, from the protagonist’s betrayal of his brother to the shapeshifter’s betrayal of trust and identity. These acts of betrayal drive the story forward, creating the tension and horror that make it so powerful. Betrayal affects every character and leaves the protagonist feeling alone, guilty, and powerless.The protagonist’s betrayal of his brother is the first and most obvious act of treachery. He is jealous of his brother’s success and the love the villagers have for him. Instead of dealing with these feelings or trying to improve himself, the protagonist chooses to kill his brother. This is a selfish act, done only to satisfy his jealousy and make himself feel better. However, it does not work as he expected. Killing his brother only makes the protagonist feel worse, and it sets the rest of the story into motion. This betrayal marks the beginning of his downfall.
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The shapeshifter’s betrayal is even more horrifying. After the brother’s death, the shapeshifter takes over his identity. It looks, acts, and speaks just like the brother, fooling everyone in the village. This betrayal is so complete that it erases the real brother from the villagers’ lives. The shapeshifter’s actions are cruel because they take away the chance for the protagonist to admit what he did or to find peace. The real brother’s body is left in the grave, while the shapeshifter lives on, pretending to be him.This betrayal is also symbolic. The shapeshifter’s ability to replace the brother shows how fragile trust and identity can be. The villagers trust the returned brother completely, never questioning him. This makes the protagonist’s situation even worse, as no one believes him or would even think to doubt the shapeshifter. He is left completely alone with his guilt and fear, knowing the truth but unable to share it.
The theme of betrayal runs throughout the story, creating its emotional weight and horror. The protagonist betrays his brother, the shapeshifter betrays the villagers’ trust, and the protagonist is betrayed by his own guilt and helplessness. These layers of betrayal make His Face All Red a haunting tale about how jealousy and lies can lead to irreversible consequences.Â
In His Face All Red, Emily Carroll writes a haunting tale that explores themes of betrayal, guilt, and the horror of the unknown. The shapeshifter theory adds depth to the story, revealing how the protagonist’s jealousy and actions opened the door for something far worse to take his brother’s place. Through the dark hole, the brother’s perfect return, his suspicious behavior, and the final panel of the decayed body, the story shows how a dangerous outsider can blend into human life unnoticed. The counter-arguments—whether focusing on survival, the wolf, guilt, or the doppelgänger theory—highlight the story’s uncertainty but ultimately fail to explain its supernatural elements as fully as the shapeshifter theory. This eerie and layered narrative leaves readers with an unsettling truth: sometimes the real horror isn’t just what we do but the consequences of what we allow to take root in our lives. Carroll’s story reminds us of the fragility of trust and identity and how betrayal—of others and of ourselves—can lead to devastating outcomes.
