The Entertainment Industry’s Obsession with Romance

Around 6 years ago, perhaps noticing how distant we had become with our families, our loved ones, and ourselves- we were blessed with COVID-19. A shared trauma with not only the people around us but with all of humanity.  In those days, I was stranded in India, imprisoned at home, and had to deal with 24/7 anxious family members. To escape all of that, I, like everyone else, started binge-watching. Because what better way to escape chaos than watching it dramatically unfold in some character’s life? Years later, the habit persisted, and I managed to discover the entertainment industry’s greatest obsession: Romance.  

All throughout the history of showbiz, romance is an extremely popular and well-grossing genre. Even the films and shows that focus on other genres, romance seems to play an overwhelming role in the plot, arguably making the watch less satisfying. Because let’s be honest, do you really want the romantic relationships of characters taking over 1/3 of the film, when what you were promised was action?

At this point, the fixation on romance appears to be a money-making shortcut to make the characters seem relatable. Even though there have been numerous successful films (The Martian, Mad Max: Fury Road, Project Hail Mary) where the character arc comes from friendship, ambition, or trauma. Not romance. Additionally, in romance infused thrillers or war films, once you’ve seen enough of them, you can tell quite early on that the leads will either end up together, or one of them will die. This creates a deflating suspense in such films. Yet, filmmakers continue to rely on it for character development.

In our lives, there are countless other relationships that are complex, challenging, and sometimes even confusing. So, why are there not enough mainstream pieces focusing on them? Taking into account the influence cinema has on our lives, it gives the impression that a romantic relationship is the most important one. Is that truly what we want this generation to believe?

For example, I recently stumbled upon this newly released series, Big Mistakes, directed by Dan Levy. What stood out to me was how he portrayed the parent-child and sibling relationship. He showed the little arguments, the emotional burden, and the pressure of familial obligations in such a raw and honest way, it instantly felt familiar yet fresh. Those themes are probably present in your household to some extent too. Even if you think you are blessed with a completely healthy family environment, you’ve surely seen these themes around you. This show hits a spot that mainstream cinema quite often fails to, because of its fixation on romance. After completing the season, I can attest, Dan Levy gave the audience what was promised, which is why it was such a great watch.

At the end of the day, there are only so many ways people can fall in love with each other, and considering the rich history of cinema, I think (thanks to COVID-19) we’ve explored it all. The genre of romance is overrated, and it is about time we move on.



About the Author

Nitya Menghani is a twenty-year-old Gen Z, who has lived her whole life in Shenzhen, trying to navigate through the twists and turns of a young adult life as an expat in the city. She is an aspiring businesswoman eager to create an impact and is currently pursuing a business management degree. Other than that, she has also freelanced as a social media assistant manager, sales and customer service intern, and AI marketing content creator. Her writing is inspired by the complex thoughts and conversations that stem from the ordinary moments of life. She hopes that by writing them down, she can perhaps help herself and others navigate through them too.

Nitya can be contacted via WeChat on the following QR.