Back when the world was adjusting to quarantine, my son discovered Bendy and the Ink Machine (BATIM). It was a welcome change from the usual Minecraft phase, offering something different and engaging. Beyond just being a new video game, BATIM’s story and atmosphere were surprisingly captivating, even for me. It was honestly a relief to find a plot, environment, and characters that could hold my attention, a break from the endless stream of children’s content I was surrounded by. BATIM was a genuine sanity-saver during a pretty challenging time.
Understanding BATIM: Beyond the Mickey Mouse & Pentagrams Talk
If you’ve heard anything about Bendy and the Ink Machine, you’ve probably encountered descriptions that go something like, “It’s like Mickey Mouse, but with pentagrams.” While that captures a sliver of the game’s aesthetic, there’s much more to it. As a parent, if you’re feeling hesitant about BATIM due to the “demon” elements, this guide is for you. I’m sharing my perspective as a parent who found it perfectly acceptable for our household. Plus, as a bonus, the game became a fun way for my child to learn letters and numbers, essential for navigating the game’s chapters, elevator levels, and reading in-game messages.
BATIM tells the story of Joey Drew Studios, an animation studio from the early days that has fallen into ruin. Think of it as a studio reminiscent of early Disney, with Bendy being their Mickey Mouse. While comparisons to other forgotten studios of that era might be more accurate historically, the Disney parallel helps paint a picture. Initially, I wasn’t drawn to this concept. Old-fashioned animation styles always felt a bit unsettling to me, which perhaps is why it works so well for a horror-themed game – it embraces that inherent creepiness.
What really hooked me was the game’s portrayal of a dysfunctional workplace. It’s incredibly relatable. Who hasn’t dealt with a demanding boss or irritating coworkers? What manager hasn’t had a questionable pet project? These shared experiences make the game resonate. It’s a quirky, almost family-like group of employees who, despite their internal conflicts, can all agree on one thing: their boss is a bit much. And let’s be honest, who designed that office with switches and levers placed miles away from what they actually control?
In essence, I see BATIM as a cautionary tale about the dangers of exploiting people and sacrificing their humanity in the pursuit of success. Joey Drew literally uses his employees’ essence to try and create the ultimate character theme park, all for his own fame and fortune. The core message is clear: using people like that is wrong.
Who Exactly is Bendy? Cartoon Star vs. Ink Entity
The Bendy we see in cartoons is presented as a “demon” or “devil” character, but he’s more of a mischievous, playful imp. He’s the type to bake gingerbread cookies or build snowmen. He’s hardly menacing. The official Employee Handbook describes “on-brand” Bendy as mischievous, playful, and attention-seeking, specifically noting that he is not “evil, playing mean-spirited jokes” (page 205). Cartoon Bendy isn’t an evil figure.
However, the Ink Demon is Bendy’s in-game, physical form, born from the Ink Machine. This version is a soulless, artificially created monster. So, the animated character subverts the typical devil archetype, but the transformation via the Ink Machine reverts Bendy to a more traditionally “evil” persona, bringing the concept full circle.
Demonic or Just Misunderstood?
Interestingly, Bendy, in any form, lacks a tail, forked or otherwise. Fan art often adds this detail, but the official design is tailless. No forked tail? Case closed on the demon debate, right?
Maybe not entirely.
The game developers have actually tweaked this aspect throughout the game’s chapter releases. They’ve moved away from overt pentagram imagery, replacing it with a more ambiguous “transmutation circle” of alchemical symbols. This shift leans more towards pseudo-science than overt dark arts, if that distinction matters to you. The Ink Demon and his inky minions are presented not as hellish demons, but as man-made beings, closer to Frankenstein’s monster in origin.
Ultimately, is the Ink Demon Bendy truly evil? To me, he seems more like a wild animal, acting on instinct to survive, protect his territory, and find sustenance. Perhaps even seeking connection in his own way. Everyone assumes he’s evil, but is that his actual intent? What if his actions are just clumsy attempts at interaction, misinterpreted as aggression? Considering you respawn in the game anyway, his actions don’t even seem permanently harmful.
I believe Ink Demon Bendy is, at his core, a sympathetic character. He’s isolated, confused, misunderstood, and feared. Like a cornered wild animal, he operates on instinct, not inherent malice, simply doing what he needs to exist. He’s burdened with the label “demon,” and everyone reacts with fear instead of trying to understand him.
Other Things Parents Might Consider
This discussion has primarily focused on the “demon” aspect, but here are some other points for parents to think about:
Language: There are a few instances of mild language, like “what the heck,” and a single “d-n.” There’s also one “OMG,” which, in the context of discovering your old boss is creating living cartoons, seems like a reasonable exclamation.
Scariness: If jump scares and suspense are a concern, BATIM definitely has those. However, my son finds them more entertaining than frightening.
Violence: Characters do get stabbed and such, but since they’re made of ink, there’s no blood or gore. It’s violence, but of a very abstract, non-realistic kind.
Sexuality: The most potentially “adult” element is the presence of characters in little black dresses, which is hardly risqué in a cartoon context.
If you have more questions, please comment below. If there’s enough interest, I’m happy to delve deeper into specific aspects of BATIM.
