Now, don’t get me wrong, historical figures can and do make for captivating films – sometimes. But I think we can all agree, these days biopics are starting to feel overused and overplayed. And hey, I get it, writing a movie is hard work! Yet there’s something about the biopic conveyor belt that feels like Hollywood's go-to move whenever creativity stalls. This raises the question: Why is Hollywood so obsessed with biopics?
If you ask me, it feels as though Hollywood is running out of original ideas. Sure, crafting a script takes both time and effort, but when it comes to biopics, it seems like the safest route to ensure award nominations and box office success. The debate over whether biopics are simple cop-outs has become a big talking point in the film industry. Can’t think of an original plotline? Look no further. Just scroll on Wikipedia, pick someone famous and boom - you’ve got your Oscar.
Biopics and our obsession with celebrity culture go hand in hand - as long as the public remains fixated on the lives of celebrities, the biopic epidemic will most likely continue.
I’m aware biopics have had their time in cinema for decades, but it’s reaching new heights. With 17 biopics being released in 2023 alone, Hollywood’s obsession has never been louder and clearer. It’s not even surprising anymore. Following the death of any iconic figure, or once enough time has passed since a significant event, studios are quick to announce a release date for their latest movie “based on a real story”. For audiences, all this becomes boring, predictable, and honestly exhausting. With the huge success of recent biopics such as ‘Oppenheimer’, which racked up seven Oscars wins and ‘Napoleon’, which gained 42 nominations, it’s clear why the biopic formula continues to be copied and pasted.
Now, before we boycott biopics and blame Hollywood entirely, let’s take a moment to pause. Cinema is a two-way relationship – as much as Hollywood continues to mass-produce these films, audiences gobble them up. We, as the public, are still desperate to uncover the struggles, drama and mess that lie beneath the surface of the stars we admire. Biopics and our obsession with celebrity culture go hand in hand - as long as the public remains fixated on the lives of celebrities, the biopic epidemic will most likely continue.
That said, I’m not saying that I never want to see another biopic again. In fact, several of them are outstanding! However, the sheer amount of predictable and formulaic biopics may lead audiences to develop a biopic burnout. Perhaps it’s time for Hollywood to call it a day with this fixation , and dare I say surprise us with fresh new ideas.
So, a tip for Hollywood: ease up on the biopics and start creating stories that can’t be searched online in under a minute or two.
