Pop culture refers to the mainstream cultural trends that are popular among a large audience. Pop culture has a significant impact on different aspects of life, including entertainment. The plots, characters, and themes of movies and TV shows are often influenced by pop culture. Pop culture has a significant impact on entertainment as it shapes the preferences of the audience and influences the content creators. In this article, we will explore the influence of pop culture on movie and TV show plots and characters.
How Pop Culture Influences Movie and TV Show Plots
Pop culture is a reflection of the current trends and preferences of society. The entertainment industry, including movies and TV shows, often adapts to these trends to attract and retain viewers. Pop culture influences movie and TV show plots in different ways, including:
Themes
Pop culture often sets the themes for movies and TV shows. Themes such as superheroes, vampires, zombies, and post-apocalyptic worlds are some of the popular themes in movies and TV shows today. These themes are often inspired by the current trends in pop culture, such as the popularity of superhero comics, zombie games, and vampire novels.
Characters
Pop culture also influences the characters in movies and TV shows. For instance, the popularity of superheroes has led to the creation of characters such as Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Superman. Similarly, the popularity of vampires has led to the creation of characters such as Edward Cullen from the Twilight series.
Plot twists
Pop culture often inspires plot twists in movies and TV shows. For example, the popularity of time travel in pop culture has led to movies and TV shows with time travel plots, such as Back to the Future and Doctor Who.
Settings
Pop culture also influences the settings of movies and TV shows. For example, the popularity of dystopian worlds in pop culture has led to movies and TV shows set in post-apocalyptic worlds, such as The Walking Dead and The Hunger Games.
How Pop Culture Influences Movie and TV Show Characters
Pop culture has a significant impact on the creation of movie and TV show characters. Characters are often created to reflect the current trends and preferences of the audience. Here are some of the ways that pop culture influences movie and TV show characters:
Appearance
Pop culture often sets the standards for appearance in movies and TV shows. For instance, the popularity of a particular fashion style or hairstyle may lead to the creation of a character with a similar appearance.
Personality traits
Pop culture also influences the personality traits of movie and TV show characters. For example, the popularity of the “bad boy” archetype in pop culture has led to the creation of characters such as Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries.
Character relationships
Pop culture also influences the relationships between movie and TV show characters. For example, the popularity of the “love triangle” trope in pop culture has led to the creation of love triangles in movies and TV shows, such as the one between Bella, Edward, and Jacob in the Twilight series.
Character development
Pop culture also influences the development of movie and TV show characters. For example, the popularity of the “coming of age” theme in pop culture has led to the creation of characters who go through significant personal growth and development over the course of a movie or TV show, such as Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series.
Examples of Pop Culture Influences in Movie and TV Show Plots and Characters
Superhero movies
Superhero movies are a prime example of the influence of pop culture on movie plots and characters. These movies have become increasingly popular in recent years, with movies such as The Avengers, Iron Man, and Wonder Woman breaking box office records. The popularity of superhero comics and graphic novels in pop culture has led to the creation of movie.
These movies often feature themes of heroism, justice, and saving the world, and the characters have unique superpowers and abilities that reflect their personalitiesPop culture influences the appearance of superhero characters as well. Comics and graphic novels that made characters like Spider-Man and Batman popular have inspired the costume design of these superheroes.
Vampire TV shows
Vampire TV shows, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Vampire Diaries, and True Blood, are another example of the influence of pop culture on TV show plots and characters. These TV shows feature themes of romance, horror, and supernatural powers, which reflect the current trends and preferences of the audience.
The appearance of vampire characters in these TV shows is influenced by pop culture as well. For example, the popularization of the “sparkly” vampire trope in the Twilight series led to the creation of similar vampire characters in other movies and TV shows.
Dystopian movies
Dystopian movies, such as The Hunger Games, Blade Runner, and Maze Runner, are also influenced by pop culture. These movies feature themes of rebellion, survival, and dystopian societies, which reflect the current trends and preferences of the audience.
The appearance of the characters in dystopian movies is influenced by pop culture as well. For example, the popularity of the “Katniss braid” hairstyle from The Hunger Games led to its adoption by fans and even inspired hair tutorials on YouTube.
Conclusion
Pop culture has a significant impact on the plots and characters of movies and TV shows. The entertainment industry adapts to the current trends and preferences of society to attract and retain viewers. Themes, characters, plot twists, and settings are all influenced by pop culture.
Pop culture continues to exert its influence on movies and TV shows beyond the present. The creation of movies and TV shows set in different time periods can also be influenced by pop culture, as seen in the way the popularity of the “flapper” style in the 1920s inspired the creation of such works.
