Archive · 2 Jun 2025
Too Much Trauma in TV: Killing the Joy in Modern Entertainment
Modern TV and movies are feeling heavy due to excessive use of trauma in plots.
Instead of just showing a character's actions, shows are over-explaining them through past trauma, making stories less fun and relatable.
The author misses characters who are simply good or bad without needing a traumatic backstory, like those in older movies.
Overuse of trauma makes stories less mysterious and interesting, creating a feeling of weight instead of the light and effervescent experience that art should provide.
The author finds modern TV shows and movies increasingly unwatchable due to the overuse of trauma in their plots.
The author feels that the emphasis on trauma in plots is over-explained, diminishing the mystery and layers of the stories.
The author contrasts this with older movies and TV shows, where characters were allowed to be good or bad without the need for traumatic backstories.
The author believes the excessive use of trauma makes the content heavy and less enjoyable.
The author refers to Italo Calvino's idea that the best art is light and effervescent.
- Who
- Javed Anwer, a technology editor
- What
- The author analyzes the overuse of trauma in modern TV shows and movies, which he believes diminishes enjoyment.
- When
- Published June 2, 2025
- Where
- N/A
- Why
- The author is offering his opinion on the change in entertainment.
- Author
- Javed Anwer
- Column Name
- Latent Space
- Publication
- India Today Group Digital
- Focus
- Effect of trauma in TV/Movies