I feel like in recent years there been an increase in producers and directors who create shows and movies with the intent to say “fuck you” to the audience/parts of the audience.
And it really bothers me because at best it’s bad storytelling. And at worst is upsets and alienates fans.
There are ways to address racism and sexism on screen without straight up harassing all white characters and male characters. (Hi new Velma show).
Fans should be encouraged to speculate and guess the ending and if they guess right, that means the story makes logical sense. (Looking at you Rian Johnson and GOT directors).
Even if you have a point you want to make with your audience, you need to acknowledge that movies and shows are storytelling mediums. If people wanted to learn about the history of racism within the justice system and how it relates to drugs, they’d watch a documentary. It is possible to create shows and movies that cover hard hitting topics and explore societal problems that are still good stories. There are ways to shock the audience without tossing out all the clues previously dropped. And these giant entertainment companies have the money and resources to find and hire good storytellers but they actively choose not to and instead support films and shows that are intended to be reactionary to the audience it’s geared for.
And as an aspiring author, I’m tired of it.
One of my favorite movies is The People Under the Stairs, which addresses themes of gentrification, racism, Nixonian politics and child abuse.
Thing is, the themes are presented with enough subtlety that it might go over most people's heads (especially if you aren't that familiar with the time period and Nixon's presidency) and managed to achieve them without demonizing all white people and making all black people pillers of moral virtue. You can also watch it to just enjoy a likeable, smart, kickass kid protagonist sight against a couple of psychos in a fortress of a house because the base story and character writing are so well done.