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Brain-Based Behaviour and Animated Narrative: A Cognitive

Reading of Over the Hedge

Gopi Sathya Srinivas Narayanam, Aremanda Tushara

EOFL Department, Vignan's Foundation Science Technolocy & Research, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh,

India

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.910000812

Received: 12 November 2025; Accepted: 18 November 2025; Published: 25 November 2025

ABSTRACT

This paper explore the animated film Over the Hedge representing vivid exploration dynamics among a diverse

group of animal characters as they navigate survival in suburban environments. Keeping Daniel G. Amens

principle from Change your Brain, Change your life, this paper examines how emotional responses such as fear,

impulsivity, aggression, anxiety and empathy of the main characters in the animated film represent their

characters. Amen gives understand that true happiness is not from external rewards but from stable brain

chemistry and healthy emotional strength. In Over the Hedge, the characters' pursuit of happiness is portrayed

through their responses to new and challenging environments. Despite of fear, conflict, anger characters of the

film shows the journey of happiness in their life. Analysing animated films emotional portrayals with Amen's

framework helps a deeper understanding of the connection between brain health and emotional life, in Over the

Edge Characters depict their emotions to an extent This aligns with Amen's core belief that emotional well -being

starts with nurturing a health brain.

Keywords: Over the Hedge, brain, animated, wild animals, emotional

INTRODUCTION

Over the Hedge is a 2006 American animated movie produced by DreamWorks Animation. The film has been

used as a medium for providing social commentary on consumerism, typified by the middle-class suburbia. The

film is presented from the perspective of small woodland creatures, which include a raccoon, turtle, squirrel,

skunk, porcupine and a possum as they witness the human suburban lifestyle for the first time. The movie has

provided a fresh perspective in this context, as, other than the raccoon named RJ, none of the other animals have

ever been exposed to the human lifestyle (Hinkins, 2007). The movie presents a stark contrast between the

pastoral existence of the woodland animals and the complex lives of the human characters (Peabody, 2006).

Before being exposed to human civilization, the animals lived simple lives where their goals mostly involved

collecting nuts and berries and hibernating during winter. The destruction of the woodlands has taken away more

than half of the forest and replaced it with suburbia, which is separated from the forest by a giant hedge.

The Pixar movies are well known for using conventional narratives about the individual struggles of characters,

but also for using these characters against a collective action and providing anti-capitalist criticism. Over the

Hedge addresses many significant social issues such as deforestation, loss of habitat, rapid urbanisation and the

impact which these have on the local wildlife of the region. Right from the beginning of the movie, the

consequences of habitat loss are evident as the animals have reduced access to their food sources and are forced

to infiltrate the suburbia for food, exposing them to hazards and other toxic substances. Human nature is satirised

within the movie to depict the negative impacts it has on both the individual and the environment (Halberstam,

2016). The desire for difference in the movie has been connected to selfishness, as seen with RJ, Verne presents

the opposite end of the spectrum as he suffers from a fear of change. The primary motivation for the film is to

showcase the triumph of the little guys over the consumerist culture of humans.

The purpose of the present research has been to observe the emotional development of the characters within the

movie, from the perspective of Daniel G. Amen and his book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. In his book,

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Amen has argued that all experiences are controlled by the brain, and therefore, if the brain is not functioning

properly, it will negatively impact the behaviour and emotions of a person. While most people perceive cognitive

dysfunction to be normal with ageing, poor diet, stress, lack of sleep, health problems and high-risk behaviour

are considered to be factors which lead to a decay of the brain (Amen, 2012). A healthy brain leads to a person

leading a happier and healthier lifestyle, while a brain which unhealthy brain pushes the person towards sadness.

The author has argued that the internal state helps in driving the external state, as emotions turn into feelings,

which in turn give rise to consciousness and drive a certain behaviour. The author has further suggested that

changing how the world is perceived can significantly help with the feelings experienced by an individual (Amen,

2012). As Amen states that the emotional issues can be connected to behavioural patterns of a person, the different

brain types and issues experienced by the characters in Over the Hedge can be related to the principles. Each of

the characters in the movie has certain behavioural patterns which are reflected in a particular brain type, using

this theory of Amen can therefore deepen the understanding of the emotional wiring of the characters.

Theoretical Framework: Daniel G. Amen’s Model of Brain-Based Behaviour

Daniel G. Amen is a clinical neurologist, psychiatrist and brain-imaging expert. He is also the head of the Amen

clinics and, as a result, possesses profound knowledge of brain-based behaviour. Unlike other experts, Amen uses

brain images not to diagnose illnesses but rather considers them invaluable resources which can help an individual

gain practical knowledge for their everyday life (Johnson, 2008). The research by Dispenza (2012) in the context

of Amen suggests that the brain can be conditioned to change before experiencing a certain event, which can

therefore allow for aligning behaviour before it becomes a reality. Higher happiness score for the brain is directly

related to high brain perfusion and leads to better emotional engagement, regulation and attention (Keator, Fallon

& Amen, 2022). Therefore, the findings of Amen suggest that an emotionally balanced brain can reach its prime.

Physical activities and proper food are essential for a well-functioning brain.

Amen through his research has revealed that there are eight types of brains, and understanding which type of

brain is possessed by an individual is integral towards providing them with the right help. The eight types of

brains are impulsive, compulsive, impulsive-compulsive, sad or moody, anxious, temporal lobe, toxic and post-

traumatic stress. Amen further suggests that an individual can have either one of these brain types or a

combination of them. The SPECT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography) scans have been used for

determining the type of brains an individual has and the types of depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder or other

types of mental conditions a person has (Amen, 2012). People who have an impulsive brain generally have lower

activity on their prefrontal cortex, as a result, these people struggle with thinking about the consequences before

they speak or act. The research has shown that individuals with ADHD suffer from this condition more than

condition more than others.

A compulsive brain has been defined to harbour negative thoughts and behaviour. These individuals have less

control over their behaviour, as they have trouble shifting their attention; they are seen to be stuck with the same

thought. The SPECT scan has revealed that people with this type of brain have too much activity in the deeper

part of the frontal lobe. The impulsive-compulsive brain is unique; these types of brains show high activity in the

brain’s gear shifter, which means the individual is more likely to overthink and be stuck on negative thoughts

(Amen, Willeumier & Johnson, 2012). Simultaneously, as they have little activity in their prefrontal cortex, they

struggle to supervise their behaviour. A sad or moody brain is associated with depression, low self-esteem and

energy (Amen, 2012). In the SPECT scans, these types of brains have too much activity in their limbic or

emotional part of the brain. External factors such as stress or grief have a significant impact on this brain type

and lead to depression.

Anxious brains are possessed by nervous individuals; they are portrayed to be tense and stressed all the time.

Individuals with anxious brains are conflict-avoidant and can be seen to fear changes. High activities are seen

within the basal ganglia of the brain for this condition. The temporal lobe is often a result of a brain injury, which

leads to the individual suffering from learning difficulties (Amen, 2012). The study has further suggested that

temporal lobe problems are very common in resistant depression. Toxic brains generally show low activity, which

can be caused due to drug use and usage of alcohol use (Amen, Henderson & Newberg, 2021). Environmental

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toxins, chemotherapeutic, radiation and infection in the brain can also cause such problems. Patients with this

condition suffer from depression and low energy. The final brain type is the post-traumatic stress brain, which

takes place as a result of lifelong stress patterns experienced by the brain. The traumas experienced by the

individual in the past get stuck in their brains and, as a result, they continue to suffer.

Amen has also shared that everything that comes out of the brain is an emotional response; choosing to focus on

the positive thoughts can lead to the individual facing less stress and fear. Amen through his work has suggested

different internal brain activities that can help with stabilising the brain and reducing negative feelings. He has

discussed the potential of external rewards for certain activities to positively influence the brain. Daily exercise

and nutritious food produce mood endorphins, which have long-term payoffs and help the individual to be more

committed. Through his research, Amen has shown that the brain is capable of change, and positive emotional

and behavioural changes can improve the thinking of an individual and more capable of change. In the movie,

during the climax, RJ is seen to have become empathic as he helps his newfound friends; this can be linked to

Amen’s belief that healing of the brain is possible through positive changes.

Overview of Over the Hedge

The movie Over the Hedge (2006) starts with RJ, the raccoon, trying to retrieve a packet of chips from a vending

machine. His hunger and desperation cause him to try and steal from a hibernating bear named Vincent. Vincent

wakes up from his sleep to find his stack of food stolen and accidentally destroyed by RJ, and therefore gives

him a week to restock all of the food RJ has wasted before the next full moon. The movie shifts to the coming of

spring in a small jungle, with little forest animals emerging from their long slumber. The group of animals, which

includes a turtle, a skunk, a squirrel, two possums and 4 porcupines, are shown to instinctively start hoarding

again for the next winter (Peabody, 2006). RJ finds this group of animals after they have discovered half of their

forest being converted into a suburban area and separated by a hedge. RJ is shown to be successful in cleverly

mobilising the group of animals and convincing them to go beyond the hedge to collect food from the humans

(Ebert, 2006). Although Verne is seen to protest against the dangers of crossing the hedge, the other animals are

swayed after RJ gets them hooked on junk food, motivating the animals to steal more.

The act of deforestation and the conversion of half the forest land into 54 acres of suburbia shows the deteriorating

effects of human society on nature. All of the animals that have been shown in the movie once ate roots, nuts and

berries, but the taste of processed junk food got them hooked and led them to start stealing from the garbage cans

and sometimes the kitchen of the people (Ebert, 2006). Gladys is the first human character to be introduced in

the movie. Being the president of the homeowner association, she is obsessed with the appearance of the plots

and the compound (Hindersson, 2023). The animals continue stealing more and more from Gladys and her other

neighbours, which forces her to contact and bring in Dwayne, a pest control expert. This shows the self-centred

nature of humans and their loss of connection with nature. As Gladys, with the collaboration of Dwayne, lays out

traps and bug zappers to capture and kill the little forest animals. Verne watches the dangers of going beyond the

hedge and decides to give back all of the stolen food to the humans. RJ stops him, as the entire time, his goal was

to trick the forest animals and give back the food to Vincent. In their struggle to take control of the food, the food

is seen to be destroyed.

The animals, not knowing about RJ’s plan, blame Verne for destroying the food, and the group decides to carry

out a final heist after they see Gladys getting a big food delivery for a party. Despite careful planning, the animals

get caught in Gladys’s kitchen and are captured by the exterminator. Even though RJ originally betrays the

animals and steals all the food to take to Vincent, he is shown to return and crash the wagon full of food into the

van of the exterminator. This provides the animals with an opportunity to escape, but they get caught in the hedge

between Gladys’s, the exterminator and Vincent (Hindersson, 2023). The polluting effects of civilisation are not

limited to humans, as RJ’s attitude early on in the movie shows the convincing and selfish nature of humans.

Hammy the squirrel is seen to be used as the final weapon to set off different illegal traps in Gladys’s garden,

which leads to an explosion and the arrest of both Gladys and the exterminator. The animals, after discovering

the deceitful nature of RJ, do not abandon him, but rather welcome him to their family. In the end, the animals

do go back to nature, but they have all significantly changed and grown through the experience (Peabody, 2006).

The unconventional family of Verne provides the animals with a sense of home and helps them become more

resilient.

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Character Analysis through Amen’s Lens

RJ - Impulsive Brain

Over the Hedge Wiki. (n.d.). RJ and Verne [Screenshot]. Fandom. https://hedgecomic.fandom.com/wiki/

The character of RJ has been presented as a cunning raccoon who abuses the naivety of a family of forest creatures

to help himself repay the debt he owes the bear, Vincent. The poor animals of the forest are made to believe that

RJ genuinely wants to help them, but his goal during the entire heist has been to save himself from Vincent

(Hanna & Bye, 20014). The author has presented RJ as a clever raccoon, as he can operate the vending machine

and his addiction to the “Spuddies” chips, the harms of consumerism have been evident throughout the movie, as

for RJ the chips as been portrayed as illicit drugs with him being an addict. The viewers are introduced to RJ’s

scheming and planning nature as he usurps the leadership of Verne the turtle over the forest animals by promising

them a happy life of nachos and other junk food (Ebert, 20006). Through the character of RJ, the harmful and

addictive nature of greed can also be witnessed as he enters the bear’s cave to only steal one packet of chips, but

after seeing the big stack the bear has stored for hibernating, he decides to steal all of it. He is seen trying to leave,

but fails as he is captivated by greed to take all of the bear's possessions.

The impulsive nature of RJ is what ultimately leads to him getting caught by Vincent. RJ’s inability to control

his greed and opening the stolen chips straightaway results in the bear waking up from his hibernation. The movie,

through its character, has shown how greed leads to overconsumption that precedes actual needs and leads to

punishment. After seeing his stack of food getting destroyed by a truck, Vincent orders RJ to bring him all of the

food items that he lost within a week. RJ is deceitful, cunning, false and selfish, but in the end, the animals of the

forest accept him as their own (Hinkins, 2007). It was ultimately the greed and obsession with the Spuddies chips

which ultimately led to the forest animal getting caught inside the house. RJ, using his wits, manages to escape

and take the goods back to Vincent. However, when the bear tells RJ he is becoming like Vinct, individualistic,

greedy and selfish, as he sacrifices his friends. RJ suffers from a moral crisis.

This impulsive and deceptive nature of RJ can be connected to Amen’s impulsive brain concept. In his book,

Amen has shared that a troubled brain leads to a person acting on their impulse. Impulsive behaviours have been

found to lead to various problems and regret (Amen, 2012). RJ, near the end of the movie, is also observed to

suffer from regret as he betrayed the trust of his newfound family. Individuals with the impulsive brain are known

to suffer from controlling their impulses; they are disorganised and possess low attention as a result of low activity

in their prefrontal cortex. It is the greed and impulse of RJ which motivates him to steal from Vincent, enter his

cave, and steal his whole stash of food instead of a packet of chips (Hinkins, 2007). Being the main protagonist

of the movie, the audience is swayed by the views of RJ and the actions he takes within the movie. The changes

which he goes through are also applauded by the audience. Despite being impulsive, RJ is shown to be cautious

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and well aware of the suburbs as he makes the animals and the viewers aware of the suburban landscape. RJ, as

a character, is also highly convincing as he convinces the forest animals that all of the food available on the other

side of the hedge is good.

The book of Amen has also suggested that negative attitudes and brain functions can be improved through a

positive and healthy support system (Amen, 2012). Having friends and family leads to a healthy emotional

balance, which reduces negativity and leads to positive thinking. RJ transforms at the end of the movie, where he

risks his own life to save his friends. He realises that his friends are more important than the debt he has towards

Vincent and therefore crashes the wagon full of food with the truck of the exterminator. Back at Gladys’s house,

RJ uses his quick thinking to again save his friends from both Vincent and the exterminator. He gives Hammy a

Maci-B caffeine drink, which helps her become much faster (Hinkins, 2007). Using the newfound power of

Hammy, RJ sets off dangerous traps, which lead to the capture of the bear and the arrest of the exterminator for

using illegal equipment to capture animals. A positive mind is relaxed and more productive. The love and

affection which RJ received from the forest animals made him feel at home and led to his transformation. At the

beginning of the movie, RJ was seen giving in to immediate desires that produced immediate desires, such as the

Spuddies chips. Through the transformation, RJ learned to have more control over himself and care for the welfare

of the whole group of animals.

Verne - Anxious Brain

Over the Hedge Wiki. (n.d.). Verne [Screenshot]. Fandom. https://hedgecomic.fandom.com/wiki/

In the movie, the character of Verne has been presented as timid and cautious. Throughout the movie, he has

always shown restraint and reluctance and therefore is a direct foil to the character of RJ. When RJ first comes

to the forest and starts influencing the other forest animals, Verne is the only one to show suspicion, as he had a

bad feeling about the raccoon. However, even after RJ usurps his family of the wild animals, Verne does not

think about revenge or bears hatred for the group, as he has been kind towards them. His reluctance is what

prevents him from believing all of RJs stories; he possesses his reasoning and does not get honeyed (Peabody,

2006). Verne is essentially scared of changes; whenever there are signs of danger, he hides inside his shell and

thinks of the negative consequences. Verne believes in following rules and not acting on impulses. After he sees

Gladys bringing an exterminator, he plans to give back all of the stolen food, fearing consequences (Hindersson,

2023). He does not like all of the other animals eating junk, and continuously visiting the house of Gladys to steal

more, with all of the dangerous traps that have been set in the backyard.

The confrontation and chase between RJ and Verne results in all of the food stored being destroyed once more,

which gets Verne hated by his family. Even though he is scared, he still wants to do the right thing, he agrees to

help RJ carry out one last heist to get all of the food. After getting captured and transported to the van of the

exterminator, he still does not bear negative feelings for RJ and rather suggests that the other animals accept him

when RJ comes back to save them from the exterminator. Hinkins (2007) considers Verne to be the second most

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prominent character of the story as he serves an important purpose and even helps the other animals in times of

need. He is caring and nurturing towards all of the animals. RJ is seen making fun of Verne at the beginning by

calling him an uncle, but it does not bother him. In the night scene that follows, he is seen saying good night to

each of the animals, showing the love and appreciation he possesses for them (González, 2017).

The character of Verne is initially seen to be resistant towards the idea of venturing beyond the hedge into the

unfamiliar territory. He is the clear patriarch of the group and constantly guides them against the various troubles

of the wilderness (Bullen, E., & Mallan, 2011). Suburbia is completely new for the forest animals, and it is natural

for Verne to be resistant towards the idea of going beyond the hedge and constantly being alert to any danger. As

per the findings of Amen (2012), the anxious brain leads to a person becoming avoidant towards conflict; they

constantly feel an angst that something bad is about to happen. Verne in the movie is also seen sensing something

bad about to happen with his tai, which kept constantly tingling. The book shares that the anxious brain leads to

the person constantly feeling tense and unsettled inside. The tense and panicky nature of Verne is symbolic of

the anxious brain. He is also seen to overcome this problem when the safety and needs of his family are in line,

he suffered from the guilt of destroying all of the food stolen by the forest animals and therefore helped RJ and

the others to carry out the plan and regain all of the lost items.

Hammy - Impulsive Brain

Over the Hedge Wiki. (n.d.). Hammy [Screenshot]. Fandom. https://hedgecomic.fandom.com/wiki/

Hammy is the third significant character of the movie, he is presented as a hyperkinetic squirrel; he is fast-talking

and very active. He is also the first person to discover the hedge, Hammy has a far greater taste for junk than any

of the other forest animals (Peabody, 2006). Hammy is impulsive right from the start, as he is shown to be

emotional when Verne calls him and the other forest animals stupid, but instantly forgives Verne when he

apologises. Though the message of the movie has been against overconsumption, all of the characters are seen to

indulge in their bodily pleasures. Hammy enjoys the caffeine drink, which sends his body into a drug-induced

frenzy. He is also shown to love the nacho corn chips. Hammy is seen to struggle with focusing on a single task

as well, he easily gets distracted by a cookie on the terrace after they started to carry out the final heist. RJ is seen

to keep him focused with a red laser beam (Hinkins, 2007). In the end, it is also Hammy who ends up saving all

of the animals from getting caught by Vincent or the exterminator. He sets off different dangerous traps in Gladys'

garden, which causes an explosion and saves the animals (Hindersson, 2023).

The character of Hammy can be associated with the impulsive brain, as he is shown to always be restless. The

over-focused brain has resulted in obsessive concentrations and behaviours that are sudden. Hammy is focused

on the cookie instead of the task of disconnecting the protection on the backyard shows impulsivity. Hammy’s

impulsive nature differs from that of RJ as he is not deceitful and does to manipulate the other animals; he is

more careless. Amen (2012) has described this type of brain as lacking impulse control and struggling with

attention. Hammy does not think before acting and is, therefore, one of the biggest flaws of the character. Amen

has suggested impulsive brain is unhealthy and the need for proper exercise to calm down and act reasonably.

Hammy’s brain is scattered as he is constantly motivated by different elements, and his thrill-seeking nature is

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used by RJ to his advantage to carry out his raids on the suburb. Although the character of Hammmy does not

share new insight, he shows the differences in impulsivity of the brain and how it affects people differently.

Stella - Temporal Lobe Brain

Over the Hedge Wiki. (n.d.). Stella [Screenshot]. Fandom. https://hedgecomic.fandom.com/wiki/

Stella the skunk is one of the minor characters of the movie; she is shown as a character who is quick to anger

and often resorts to sarcasm. Stella plays an important part during the heist as she has been tasked with seducing

the Persian house cat. The forest animals help in transforming Stella from a skunk to a cat, the seduction works

out, and Stella falls in love with the cat, and they both develop a romantic relationship (Ebert, 2006). At the end

of the movie, the house cat is seen leaving its home to be with Stella in the forest. The character of Stella is

associated with temporal lobe dysfunction as she is quick to anger and suffers from mood swings and occasional

outbursts. Amen (2012) has associated these characteristics with the temporal lobe brain, although individuals

with the condition are thought to have suffered from some form of brain damage. This leads to mood instability

and trouble in reading or understanding social cues. Temporal lobe problems are known to lead to resistant

depression, which causes an increased activity on the anterior cingulate gyrus and the deep limbic system. Amen

also believes that it is caused by an increase in activity on the outside of the right temporal lobe. In the movie,

Stella is seen to snap at the cat when he does not appreciate her makeover and the other animals are shown to be

worried about her reaction, but the cat appreciates her snarky attitude, and they can find love.

Ozzie - Sad Brain

Over the Hedge Wiki. (n.d.). Ozzie [Screenshot]. Fandom. https://hedgecomic.fandom.com/wiki/

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Ozzie the possum is yet another minor character who falls under the small forest creatures. He is often seen

arguing and battling with his daughter Heather, about the nature of possums. Ozzie is presented as a comic relief

within the movie as he plays dead whenever he is faced with danger. He possesses a heightened sensitivity

towards any form of threat. His act does not alert the others, but instead causes them to panic or feel sad for him.

On the screen, he does not hide his true feelings much as he signs, showing his disappointment and his frantic

pleas are also real. Ozzie is a well-rounded character who is shown to be dependent on his daughter for emotional

anchoring. The character fits neatly into Amen's (2012) sad or moody brain hypothesis. The author believes that

people with this form of brain often struggle with depression and negativity and possess low self-esteem. While

Ozzie does not show traits of depression within the movie, he does have low self-esteem and a negative outlook

on life. The character of Ozzie is not vulnerable and also possesses a significant amount of resilience as he is able

to play dead at the time of need and make way for his friends to steal from the suburbia. There are often external

factors of grief associated with this condition; however, a detailed backstory is not provided on Ozzie’s wife and

therefore not possible to know if there are any other factors affecting his condition.

Heather - Balanced Brain

Over the Hedge Wiki. (n.d.). Heather [Screenshot]. Fandom. https://hedgecomic.fandom.com/wiki/

Heather, the possum the most stable character in the movie; she is always present for her father and provides him

with genuine support and insight. Although Heather at the beginning of the movie does not agree with her father’s

theatrics of playing dead, she eventually caves and plays dead during the heist, which provides the other animals

with some more time while Gladys calls for the exterminator, making her father proud. She is unlike the other

characters in the forest, she does not possess the impulsiveness of RJ nor the anxiety and cautiousness of Verne.

The empathic nature of Heather allows her to befriend RJ instantly and help the group whenever needed. She

defuses tension and speaks to the characters calmly during times of need to defuse the tension and encourage

them to reduce conflict. Heather possesses a healthy and well-balanced brain, which Amen (2012) refers to as

the limbic brain. In his book, Amen has shared that having this form of brain is highly beneficial as it utilises the

prefrontal cortex and results in improving the focus, mindfulness and judgement of the individual. The thought

process is improved with this form of brain type. The limbic brain does not require external motivators, as it is

able to keep itself motivated. The lymphatic system represents the emotions of a person based on the stored

memories. A balanced brain can automatically understand and respond to the different triggers. Heather possesses

all of these characteristics within the movie as she channels her empathy whenever needed and supports characters

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such as RJ, Verne or her father, Ozzie. The limbic brain kills negative emotions and thoughts and replaces them

with positive thought processes.

Vincent - Temporal Lobe Brain

Over the Hedge Wiki. (n.d.). Vincent [Screenshot]. Fandom. https://hedgecomic.fandom.com/wiki/

Vincent is the prime antagonist of the movie, is menacing bear who wakes up to find RJ stealing all the food that

he had stored before hibernating. Though the character only appears twice in the movie, his presence is ever-

present due to RJ’s anxiety of not being able to get all the food ready in time. During multiple instances, RJ is

seen looking at his list and making sure he is getting all of the times that are required by Vincent. RJ was mad at

Verne when he decided to return all the food to the humans, as he could only think of the consequences he would

face if he were not able to return all of the stolen food in time. The behaviour of Vincent at the beginning and the

end of the movie shows uncontrolled anger, impulsiveness and obsession. He chases RJ and his friends from the

cliff to the streets and to the hedge, where they are finally caught by the wildlife control and sent for rehabilitation.

Based on these characteristics, it can be hypothesised that Vincent possesses the Temporal Lobe brain, due to his

anger and fixation on killing RJ for not delivering the food on time. Amen (2012) has shown that dysfunction of

the temporal lobe can cause mood instability and temper problems. Both of which can be seen within the

character. Vincent possesses poor judgment and lacks empathy. When the forest animals are all captured, he

laughs and even congratulates RJ for betraying his friends to fulfil his personal interests. The violent nature of

Vincent personifies the ill-tempered, emotionally violate individuals in Amen’s tests who do not have any form

of control over their reaction.

Emotional Transformation and the Pursuit of Happiness

In Over the Hedge, the contrasting themes are the emotional transformation of the characters and their pursuit of

happiness. The movie has been analysed from the perspective of Daniel G. Amen and the different brain types

which he has discussed in his book “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life.” When introduced, each of the

characters is shown to be instinctive and acting based on their understanding of their surrounding. Verne’s anxiety

and fear of change have been associated with the anxious brain; this nature of Verne constantly made him worry

and fear the unknown. RJ at the beginning has also been shown to be impulsive, scheming and manipulative. The

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)

ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue X October 2025

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underperformance of his prefrontal cortex has resulted in his being self-centred and acting selfish. Hammy’s

hyperactive nature has also been credited to his impulsive brain. Ozzie’s sad brain and Stella’s temporal lobe

brain make all of these characters lean on external happiness to find fulfilment. Stealing food from the residents

of the suburbia provided the characters with immediate reward and temporary satisfaction. However, the havoc

these animals were causing on the neighbourhood had its consequences as the leader of the homeowner

association hired an exterminator to get rid of all of the wild animals that crossed over the hedge to steal food

from the dustbins and the kitchens.

The turning point for the animals comes when they kept venturing into the suburbs under RJ’s manipulation and

were faced with the different threats of the materialised world. The lawnmowers, different hazards and traps in

the garden, the dog and Vincent the bear. The animals started to lose their sync, and it created tension between

Verne and RJ. The real transformation among the characters takes place when they start to lean on one another

during their escape from the van of the exterminator. When Vincent compares RJ to himself, he is filled with

guilt and fear for his friends. He transforms to protect his friends, which aligns with the findings of Amen. In his

book, Amen has shown that the different mental conditions and types of disorders can be readjusted when the

individual experiences a deep emotional connection. Simultaneously, the other characters also transform. When

Verne sees RJ’s genuine intentions to help his group of friends, he encourages the others to let him in and allow

him to redeem himself. Stella and Heather also transform the movie; Stella learns to love, while Heather learns

to value the teachings of her father. In the final act of Ozzie also becomes heroic as his dramatic playing dead

becomes a deliberate protective strategy to protect all of the other animals.

The superficial pursuit of happiness, which RJ manipulated the forest creatures to go through, also ends at the

end of the movie. The animals forsake their quest for human junk food and return to nature. Amen in his work

has constantly argued that true happiness does not come from external gratification but rather but boosting

attention, emotional connection and reduction of stress. Creating one’s happiness is highly necessary as it allows

an individual to set personalised goals that are reachable. Strong relationships, according to Amen, are linked to

health, happiness and success. A well-regulated brain is able to provide itself with nourishment, and the positive

relationship that the forest animals share with themselves becomes their ultimate key towards achieving

happiness. The collective transformation of the characters changes them from fearful individuals to having

individual purpose and agency. The animals get back to the same forest from which they emerged, but with

emotional maturation and newfound knowledge, which will be beneficial for them to navigate their new journey.

The pursuit of happiness is therefore revealed to be an inward journey for each of the characters; they have to

face their crisis to learn and grow, and in the process, the relationship between the characters grows, and they

become more resilient.

CONCLUSION

As concluding remarks for the present research, the study has carefully analysed Daniel G. Amen’s framework

on brain types and connected them with the emotional lives of diverse forest animals in the movie Over the

Hedge. The impulsivity of RJ and Hammy, the anxiety of Verne, Stella’s volatile nature and Ozzie’s sadistic

nature have all been connected with different brain types. Connecting the experiences and expressions of these

characters with these diverse brain types also provides insight into their intentions and motivations. Nearly all of

the characters of the movie undergo significant transformation as the movie progresses, understanding their brain

types provides a deeper coherence for their condition. The article has carefully analysed the book “Change Your

Brain, Change Your Life” written by Amen and the different brain types researched by the author. Drawing

attention to each character and their brain type reveals the neural biases of the characters and the internal thought

process which drives their action. RJ and Hammy’s impulsivity has been determined to be driven by the lack of

development of their prefrontal cortex. Verne’s fear of trying new things has also been addressed within the

research; his belief in following preset rules had initially prevented him from accepting RJ’s ideals, but in the

end, when RJ transforms into someone capable of showing selflessness, Verne changes his views and becomes

more accepting towards him. The dramatisation of the emotional transformation of the characters and their growth

under stress has been evaluated within the study to show the significance of their connection and the resilience

of the characters. Amen’s framework of prioritising internal satisfaction over external gratification has also been

presented in the study. The movie “Over the Hedge” on the surface deals with many different social issues, such

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)

ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue X October 2025

Page 9957

www.rsisinternational.org

as deforestation and commercialisation, but adopting Amen’s framework has allowed the study to offer a new

perspective to the story and showcase the emotional depth of the characters.

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