Imagine if it was about envy/ jealousy spiraling out of control. Imagine Lively/ Reynolds feeling threatened by Baldoni. Not because of anything tangible, but because Baldoni’s level of presence (He practices the Bahá’í faith, where oneness is a core principle) and ease with intimacy exposes this: Lively’s/ Reynold’s own insecurities.

Instead of openly admitting their jealousy outright, the jealous person would try to manipulate situations, people, or narratives in a way that keeps them from feeling it. It’s an unconscious strategy: controlling what they can so they don’t have to face what they can’t.

It’s similar to a narcissist’s dry-begging – hinting at a need without directly saying, “I’m in need.” The jealous person operates the same way, subtly discouraging others, undermining confidence, or creating dynamics where they appear superior – without ever saying, “I’m jealous.”

It’s a defense mechanism: “If I control the environment, I don’t have to feel small.”

The jealous person is pushed to either confront their inner demons or double down on their ego defense mechanisms. It becomes a battle between vulnerability and ego, with the outcome hinging on whether they can face their feelings of inadequacy and transform their jealousy into something healthier.

This dynamic shows how unchecked jealousy distorts reality, especially when wounds are left unaddressed. Jealousy wreaks havoc, leaving destruction and turmoil in its wake – all just to avoid a simple and harmless yet daunting act: facing one’s own vulnerability.