The film begins as what seems like a love story. It's soft, sweet, and kind between Holly and Kit, who's a character from "the other side of the tracks." But soon after the film takes a sharp turn into a murder spree after Kit kills Holly's father for refusing to approve their marriage. The character run from life as Kit continues to take it from anyone who stands in the way of he and Holly's being together. It can be said that Holly may stay with Kit because he is protecting her albeit he is killing people in order to do this. Her sense of safety comes from violent acts by someone who loves her. This corrupts her innocence and confuses her sense of what's right as all she knows is that she is in love with Kit. So she follows him.
Kit becomes the representation of violence in America. And his being seen as a James Dean look-a-like symbolizes the countries love affair with violence and how they make famous those who perpetrate murder. This is seen in how the arresting officer is thrilled to be near someone who looks just like James Dean, and we even see Kit shot by Malick in such a way that when he's signing his paperwork with the police it appears as though he's signing an autograph--even shaking the cops hands after as if he's done them a favor--and Kit seems to quite enjoy the attention. All of this, a victory march to Kit's execution as his name goes down in infamy for what he has done.
Malick's film represents the stolen innocence of those untouched by the harshness of the world. And how violence has found its way into the heart of many youths who are blinded by the idea that they are loved and protected by the strength of these acts. But Holly awakens to the reality that what she has joined in on is not right, and it is not love. This is why she turns herself in. If there is any silver lining for the film it is that Holly marries the son of the lawyer who represents her. This is a symbol of the second chance she gets which only came by facing the consequences of following Kit.
