Hollywood, despite its monumental success in the entertainment industry, continues to struggle with certain aspects of storytelling that have the power to captivate audiences and create timeless classics. While many films feature breathtaking visuals, explosive action, and talented actors, the art of great storytelling often seems lost in the mix. What is it that Hollywood still doesn’t understand about storytelling? In this article, we explore some key aspects that need a shift in focus to craft truly compelling stories.
The Heart of Great Storytelling: Emotion and Connection
Great storytelling begins with characters and their emotional journeys. In the quest for visual spectacle, Hollywood frequently loses sight of the deep emotional connections that make stories resonate with audiences. Many recent films fail to prioritize the heart of a story, opting for over-the-top action sequences or CGI-driven plots rather than investing time in character development and meaningful emotional stakes.
In the past, some of the greatest films were deeply rooted in human emotions. Classic movies like The Godfather and Schindler’s List didn’t rely solely on flashy visuals or fast-paced action. Instead, they drew audiences in with rich characters and their emotional struggles. Whether love, loss, hope, or betrayal, great stories focus on the emotions that drive characters and connect them to viewers on a personal level. Hollywood often forgets that while audiences may remember a film’s effects, they will more likely remember how the story made them feel.
The Need for Authenticity and Originality
In recent years, Hollywood has become known for its sequels, remakes, and reboots. While these films can sometimes capture a nostalgic audience, they often fail to offer anything new or original. Hollywood’s reliance on formulas and franchises limits creative exploration and discourages risk-taking. This tendency leads to predictable, repetitive stories devoid of fresh perspectives.
Great storytelling comes from bold ideas, original concepts, and a willingness to take risks. For example, films like Inception and Get Out demonstrated how originality in storytelling can produce thought-provoking narratives that stay with audiences long after the credits roll. Hollywood must remember that innovation is the key to keeping storytelling fresh and exciting. Audiences are hungry for new stories that challenge the status quo, not the same old formulas repackaged in different ways.
Understanding the Power of Subtlety and Pace
Hollywood often overlooks the power of subtlety and pacing in its pursuit of mass appeal. Films that rush through their plots, focus on spectacle, and neglect slower, quieter moments can feel disjointed and fail to build the emotional weight necessary to leave a lasting impact. Great stories know when to slow down and allow characters’ emotions to breathe, building anticipation before unleashing moments of great intensity.
Think of films like The Shawshank Redemption or There Will Be Blood — they take their time, letting tension and emotional stakes grow gradually. These films aren’t afraid of silence or slower moments; they understand that sometimes the most potent scenes don’t need to be explained with loud music or quick cuts. Hollywood should embrace the art of pacing and subtlety, knowing that the most effective stories often allow the audience to feel the depth of a character’s journey without being constantly bombarded with visual noise.
The Importance of Diverse Voices and Perspectives
One of the most glaring issues in Hollywood storytelling is the lack of diversity in the characters and the creators behind the scenes. For too long, Hollywood has adhered to narrow perspectives that fail to reflect the diversity of real-world experiences. This homogeneity limits the depth and authenticity of the stories told on screen.
Great storytelling comes from diverse voices, drawing from different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Hollywood must embrace inclusivity in its narratives as audiences become more diverse and globalized. Films like Black Panther and Parasite have shown the power of stories that reflect varied experiences and how those stories resonate universally, regardless of culture or background. Hollywood must learn to tell stories representing a broader spectrum of humanity to create more authentic and enriching narratives.
Prioritizing Character Over Plot
Too often, Hollywood prioritizes the plot over character development, leading to stories that feel like they’re ticking off plot points rather than immersing the audience in the characters’ struggles. The most enduring stories allow the characters to evolve and grow, making their actions and decisions feel significant.
In movies like The Dark Knight and Forrest Gump, the characters’ development and internal conflicts are the narrative’s driving force, not the action or spectacle. These films show that great storytelling is not just about what happens to the characters, but about who they become due to those events. Hollywood must focus more on building multidimensional characters and allowing their arcs to drive the story forward. The story becomes more compelling and meaningful when characters are allowed to grow and change.
The Need for Subtext and Theme
Finally, one aspect that Hollywood often overlooks is the importance of subtext and theme. A great story doesn’t just tell you what’s happening and invites the audience to think and reflect on deeper meanings. Hollywood frequently shies away from films with complex subtext or layered themes, favoring more straightforward narratives.
Take, for instance, Blade Runner or The Matrix — both films delve into philosophical questions about identity, reality, and humanity. These stories go beyond surface-level action and create an intellectual dialogue with the audience. Hollywood needs to understand that storytelling can be both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. Great stories invite the audience to engage with the themes at a deeper level, making them more meaningful and enduring.
What Hollywood Needs to Learn
Hollywood still has much to learn about great storytelling. Relying on spectacle, star power, or recycled ideas is insufficient. Instead, great storytelling requires an emotional connection, authenticity, originality, pacing, diversity, character-driven plots, and deep thematic exploration. If Hollywood embraces these fundamental aspects of storytelling, it can reclaim its ability to craft timeless and impactful narratives that resonate with audiences for years.