As a 38-year-old man, I have begun accepting that I am no longer one of the youth driving Hollywood. Instead, I am a seasoned guy trying to figure out what everyone else wants to watch, and relying on my newborn son to drag me into one of the other four quadrants moving forward.
I have to admit, I have always loved action movies. From the time I was a kid, I absolutely loved people like John McLane, Rambo, and the modern John Wick or Sisu movies.
But now, it turns out, that just makes me old.
A groundbreaking new study reported on by Deadline suggests that the next generation of viewers wants something more human and less toxic masculinity.
According to the “Teens & Screens” survey from UCLA’s Center for Scholars & Storytellers survey from UCLA’s Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS), Gen Z and Gen Alpha are increasingly uninterested in traditional “tough guy” tropes.
They want “connected masculinity” stories defined by emotional availability, caregiving, and community.
But…do they REALLY want that? I remain skeptical.
Let’s dive in.
– YouTubewww.youtube.com
The Death of the “Strong, Silent Type”
Every time we go back to the idea of a prototypical hero, I think about that Sopranos line where Tony wishes we brought Gary Cooper back.
Well, those days are over, Tone.
The survey, which polled 1,500 adolescents aged 10 to 24, found a dramatic shift in what young audiences find compelling in movie stars and characters.
The data suggests superhero fatigue and the brand of masculinity that goes along with it.
These kids want more domestic, affectionate male roles. The idea of “Joyful fatherhood” was the single most requested portrayal of masculinity. Nearly 60% of respondents stated they want to see more fathers who openly show love and actually enjoy the act of parenting.
The youngest surveyed (ages 10–14) wanted to see “nurturing fathers” versus those who are distant or purely “providers” was a staggering 11-to-1 ratio.
A Cultural Turning Point
“For decades, media has relied on the ‘stoic provider’ or the ‘distant hero’ as the default for adult men,” says the report. “Our data shows that by primarily showing men in positions of power or physical strength, we ignore the roles that young people value, defined by empathy, patience, and emotional availability.”
This identified shift isn’t just about “softening” male characters; it’s about making them more relatable.
But I think it’s a mistake to turn our backs on the action genre. Especially now.
But…Do They Really Want That?
One of the things I want to bring up here is that while this survey showed a lot of interesting data and preferences, there’s a distinct difference between stated preferences and revealed preferences.
What I mean is there is often a massive gulf between what audiences say they want and what they actually pay to see.
I feel like this study is more about the aspirational identity of Gen Z and Gen Alpha—who they want to be and how they want to see their values reflected.
‘Avengers’ Credit: Disney
But as someone who has navigated the “development hell” of Hollywood for a decade, you know that the box office often tells a different story.
We have whole studios set up to churn out movies like The Beekeeper, which overperformed at the box office and is soon to get a sequel.
Deadpool & Wolverine shattered records, grossing over $1 billion. Reacher is one of the biggest shows on Amazon. And John Wick 4 made $440 million.
Sony is rebooting Rambo, and we’re getting another iteration of The Hunger Games.
And a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Industry light up HBO every Sunday night.
John Wick 5 is coming.
We’re getting some huge Marvel movies with massive battles in the next two years.
I’m not saying that these kids are wrong, but what I am saying is that when it comes to popular culture, it does seem like we’re seeing that people love action movies with huge set pieces and heroes who beat people up.
I think a lot of the characters I have mentioned are nuanced, but I also think the trend in development has been pretty consistent. These movies all make money, and someone is going to see them.
If I were writing one now, I’d maybe focus on making the hero more well-rounded, but I wouldn’t be cutting down on the set pieces.
Summing It All Up
We’re in an interesting time in Hollywood as people try to find what drives kids to the movie theaters. Surveys say one thing, but box office numbers say another.
Whatever you’re writing, make sure the characters pop off the page and engage with the audience. That’s the true way to keep moving forward.
Let me know what you think in the comments.