How Storytelling in Popular Media Has Changed Over 30 Years
How has storytelling in popular media changed over the last 30 years? How are the stories being told different?
ChatGPT: Storytelling in popular media has undergone huge shifts over the last 30 years, influenced by changes in technology, cultural attitudes, and audience expectations. While the core of storytelling—compelling characters, conflict, and emotional stakes—remains the same, how stories are told has evolved in several key ways.
1. More Complex, Morally Ambiguous Characters
Then (1990s-2000s):
Characters tended to be clear-cut heroes and villains.
Protagonists were often likable, aspirational, or morally upright.
Antiheroes existed (e.g., Tony Soprano, Walter White), but they were exceptions.
Now (2010s-2020s):
The rise of morally complex protagonists—characters don’t have to be likable to be compelling.
Audiences embrace flawed, even unlikable main characters (Fleabag, BoJack Horseman, Succession).
Storytellers trust audiences to navigate moral gray areas rather than spoon-feed right and wrong.
2. More Serialized, Long-Form Storytelling
Then:
TV was episodic—each episode was self-contained with a clear beginning, middle, and end (Law & Order, Friends, The X-Files).
Even serialized shows followed a predictable structure (Buffy the Vampire Slayer still had “monster of the week” episodes).
Now:
Streaming changed everything—now, shows are written as multi-hour, continuous narratives rather than standalone episodes (Breaking Bad, The Last of Us, The Bear).
Writers assume audiences will binge multiple episodes in one sitting, so pacing and structure have adapted.
3. Genre-Bending and Deconstruction of Tropes
Then:
Stories generally fit cleanly into genres (romance, action, comedy, horror, etc.).
Tropes were played straight—action heroes were tough (Die Hard), romances followed formulas (You’ve Got Mail).
Now:
Genre-blending is expected—comedies get dark (Atlanta), horror gets existential (Hereditary, The Witch), sci-fi gets intimate (Everything Everywhere All at Once).
Meta-storytelling and deconstruction of genre tropes (The Boys deconstructs superheroes, Barbie deconstructs femininity, Everything Everywhere takes on the multiverse).
4. The Rise of Anti-Nostalgia and Critical Reboots
Then:
Franchises were mostly straight reboots that tried to recreate old stories (Batman Forever, 1998’s Godzilla).
Nostalgia was played earnestly—people loved it because it was familiar (Star Wars prequels).
Now:
Reboots often interrogate or criticize their source material.
Examples:
The Last Jedi challenged the Star Wars mythology.
Cobra Kai reexamines The Karate Kid's "hero vs. villain" simplicity.
Twin Peaks: The Return refused to be a nostalgia trip, making the audience sit with discomfort instead.
5. More Representation & Inclusive Storytelling
Then:
Straight, white, male protagonists dominated Hollywood.
Diversity often felt tokenized—side characters existed to support the white lead.
Queer stories were rare, and if they existed, they often ended in tragedy.
Now:
More authentic and diverse storytelling (Everything Everywhere All at Once, Reservation Dogs, Black Panther, Pose).
Intersectionality is a key storytelling element—characters aren’t just one thing (e.g., Ramy explores faith, culture, and sexuality together).
Queer and POC stories are not just about trauma but about joy, complexity, and existence.
6. Less Clear-Cut Endings—More Ambiguity
Then:
Most stories had clear resolutions—happy endings, good guys win, closure (Titanic, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter).
Open-ended or ambiguous endings were less common outside of arthouse films.
Now:
Audiences have higher tolerance for ambiguity and moral uncertainty.
TV shows often end without giving clear answers (The Leftovers, Sopranos, Station Eleven).
Movies lean into existentialism (Annihilation, The Green Knight).
7. The Rise of AI, Video Game Influence, and Interactivity
Then:
Traditional linear storytelling dominated—books, movies, and TV followed set narratives.
Video games were seen as separate from "real storytelling."
Now:
Video game storytelling is influencing mainstream media (The Last of Us, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners).
AI tools allow for personalized, interactive storytelling (e.g., Netflix’s Bandersnatch, AI-generated experiences).
More shows and games experiment with nonlinear storytelling and player choice (Undertale, Disco Elysium, Baldur’s Gate 3).
Final Thought: Audiences Are Smarter, and Stories Are Riskier
Compared to 30 years ago, audiences today:
Expect deeper character psychology and moral nuance.
Are less patient with formulaic storytelling.
Are more media-literate, picking apart tropes and demanding fresh perspectives.
Want stories that challenge them, rather than just comfort them.
As a result, storytelling today is bolder, more experimental, and more self-aware. And while nostalgia still sells, the best stories often question the past rather than just recreating it.
