Rodrigo Borges’ Nightmare is more than just a thriller about corporate corruption—it is a deep psychological exploration of a man unraveling under extreme pressure. Jonas, a brilliant but unsuspecting engineer, begins as a hopeful innovator determined to change the world. However, as powerful forces work against him, his mental state deteriorates. The novel masterfully portrays his descent into paranoia, isolation, and desperation, illustrating how psychological warfare can be just as effective as physical attacks. This article examines Jonas’ mental decline, the external and internal factors that contribute to his breakdown, and the novel’s broader commentary on the cost of challenging power.
"Nightmare" by Rodrigo Borges is a psychological literary fiction Novel that follows Jonas, a world-renowned auto engineer who perfects a revolutionary water-powered vehicle. However, before he can auction off the ownership rights, he faces extreme pressure to step down.
The Initial Optimism: Jonas as a Visionary
At the start of Nightmare, Jonas is a world-renowned auto engineer with an unshakable belief in his invention. His water-powered car is a revolutionary breakthrough, and he is eager to share it with the world.
Confidence in His Work – Jonas believes in the ethical and scientific value of his invention, convinced that it will benefit humanity.
Trust in the System – He assumes that the world will embrace his work, believing in fair competition and innovation.
Personal Stability – He enjoys a structured life, surrounded by supportive colleagues and friends, with a clear vision for the future.
At this stage, Jonas is a rational, focused individual who sees the world in terms of logic and progress. However, this optimism makes his later downfall even more tragic.
The First Signs of Stress: Pressure Begins to Mount
As Jonas moves closer to launching his invention, he starts facing unexpected resistance. Investors withdraw, legal troubles arise, and media outlets begin questioning his credibility. While these setbacks are frustrating, Jonas initially treats them as challenges that can be overcome.
Denial and Justification – Jonas believes the obstacles are temporary and refuses to acknowledge the deeper forces at play.
Increased Stress Levels – Financial strain and mounting legal battles begin affecting his ability to concentrate.
Loss of Control – He realizes that forces beyond his understanding are manipulating the situation, but he struggles to grasp the full extent.
During this phase, Jonas’ mental state begins to shift, but he still believes in a rational resolution. His slow realization that logic and reason will not save him is one of the novel’s most harrowing aspects.
Isolation and Betrayal: Jonas Becomes a Target
As Jonas fights back, the attacks against him escalate. What began as financial and legal troubles turns into something more sinister—he experiences betrayal from those closest to him and begins to suspect he is being watched.
Friends and colleagues distance themselves – Whether due to fear, bribery, or coercion, Jonas finds himself increasingly alone.
Surveillance and paranoia set in – He begins noticing unmarked cars following him, his phone acting strangely, and his emails disappearing.
Media portrayal turns hostile – News outlets that once praised him now paint him as unstable, a fraud, or even dangerous.
Jonas’ descent into paranoia is not irrational—it is based on real events happening around him. However, his increasing obsession with proving he is being targeted starts to damage his credibility. The novel asks a chilling question: What happens when a person is gaslit by an entire system?
Mental and Emotional Collapse: Jonas Loses His Grip on Reality
At his lowest point, Jonas becomes consumed by fear and frustration. The once-rational engineer begins to act erratically, making desperate decisions that only further alienate him.
Erratic behavior – Jonas lashes out at former allies, convinced they are conspiring against him.
Sleep deprivation and exhaustion – Unable to rest, he begins experiencing hallucinations, further blurring the line between reality and paranoia.
Desperation and irrational decisions – Feeling trapped, he considers extreme actions, from fleeing the country to exposing the truth through reckless means.
This phase of Jonas’ breakdown is one of the most psychologically intense parts of Nightmare. Borges forces readers to experience Jonas’ anguish firsthand, making them question their own perceptions. If they were in Jonas’ place, would they react any differently?
The Broader Message: The Cost of Fighting Power
Jonas’ psychological collapse is not just a personal tragedy—it is a deliberate tactic used by those in power. Nightmare suggests that when powerful institutions cannot defeat someone through legal or financial means, they will destroy them mentally instead.
Gaslighting and manipulation – By making Jonas seem unstable, corporations shift the focus away from his invention and onto his credibility.
Social and professional exile – Once Jonas is labeled as irrational, his professional network abandons him, ensuring his work never sees the light of day.
The slow erosion of willpower – The novel emphasizes that most people do not break all at once—they are worn down over time, until resistance seems futile.
Conclusion: A Haunting Warning
Jonas’ psychological decline in Nightmare serves as a harrowing reminder of what happens to those who challenge the wrong people. His descent is not just a character arc—it is a warning about the brutal reality of fighting systemic corruption. Through Jonas’ story, Borges forces readers to ask:
How much pressure can one person withstand before they break?
When does justified fear turn into paranoia?
If someone is labeled as crazy, does that mean they are wrong?
By the end of Nightmare, Jonas is no longer the hopeful visionary he once was. Whether his fight is ultimately in vain is left open to interpretation, but one thing is clear: challenging power is not just a battle of ideas—it is a battle for survival.