Pre-Reflective Visual Attraction to the Actor's Embodied Presence: Screen Presence Beyond Narrative Centrality

AbstractThis paper investigates a specific spectatorial phenomenon: inexplicably persistentvisual attention to the actor's embodied presence beyond what narrative centrality canexplain. Taking Harvey Specter as embodied by Gabriel Macht in Suits (2011-2019) asnarrative model, the study asks how screen presence is given to the spectator at a pre-reflective level, before thematic interpretation of character and plot.Building on the methodological framework developed in Kovačić Tot (2024) IPA studyof Bill Tench (Mindhunter), the paper employs Interpretative PhenomenologicalAnalysis with narrative model as phenomenological material, extended through triplehermeneutics. Analysis proceeds through phenomenological epoché, descriptive codingof embodied cues (posture, controlled movement, facial composure, vocal rhythm,sartorial integration, ritualized entrance), and interpretive mapping onto a four-partJungian configuration.Findings show that persistence is grounded in (1) Magician as dominant - mastery ofsymbolic systems (language, legal knowledge, timing, information, social codes,appearance, perception of others) - knowledge transformed into power; (2) Warrior assupportive vector - territoriality, protection, confrontation giving Magician directionand force; (3) Trickster as subordinated function - manipulation of expectations,reversal, irony, status play, formula "I know the rules better than you do, therefore Ican bend them"; (4) Persona as elaborated instrument - suit, posture, voice, vocabulary,hair, facial composure, controlled movement, ritualized entrance, not merelyconcealing but becoming instrument of agency, enabling attraction withoutpsychological knowledge.Three hypotheses are tested: H1 Magician-Persona Hypothesis, H2 SubordinationHypothesis, H3 Warrior Amplification Hypothesis. Results suggest archetypalcoherence amplifies intensity and explains temporal persistence independently ofnarrative development. Implications for continental film theory are discussed.