For over a century, Hollywood has been recognized as the pinnacle of the film and storytelling industry. Some of the most famous movies in the world have been produced here, although audiences have begun to question whether this creativity is fading. Studios have been turning to biographical pictures, or “biopics,” leaving many viewers questioning if movies have become too predictable and uninspired.
Most biopics are not inherently bad, and some have been genuinely successful in recent years. Films such as Hidden Figures, Rocketman, and Oppenheimer have garnered large fan bases because of their strong performances and ratings. Katie O’Hara ‘27 states, “I liked Hidden Figures because of its compelling story, and I loved the way they portrayed the characters truthfully.” Eleanor Rose ‘27 enjoyed watching Rocketman because she “liked the way it incorporated Elton John’s music into his life.” Rose also mentioned how she “learned a lot about his life through his lyrics.” The movie allowed audiences to see how certain viewers relate to celebrities by understanding the truth behind their backgrounds and life stories.
However, not every biopic has worked in the past. Movies such as Blonde, House of Gucci, and Bohemian Rhapsody were criticized for prioritizing style or shock value over true substance, leaving viewers divided and often dissatisfied. Jess Sonner ‘27 thinks that Bohemian Rhapsody, the story about the band Queen, was poorly directed, as it felt “inauthentic with bad acting.” Although viewers would still show up at theaters to learn more about a celebrity they liked, the person’s prestige did not always guarantee a well-made biopic, reinforcing the idea that Hollywood was playing it safe rather than being creative.
Audiences have turned to other production companies to find creative screenplays and original scripts. Independent studios like A24 have gained attention for supporting bold, authentic, non-biopic movies that have garnered heavy praise for their innovative ideas. Their movie Everything Everywhere All at Once, an original story about a Chinese-American immigrant who must save herself from the multiverse by finding parallel versions of herself, won multiple Academy Awards in 2023, proving that people still craved originality when given the chance.
In an age of media where creativity can feel confined, it is more important than ever to encourage new, imaginative works. Hollywood may be struggling with creativity, prioritizing quality over quantity, but true storytelling is far from dead. As independent studios continue to thrive, they demonstrate that new ideas can succeed and that audiences are eager to consume and uplift them.
