Changes in Hollywood: A Shift Away from Progressivism

It seems the era many have dubbed Hollywood’s “Progressive Snowflake Era” is drawing to a close. This shift, away from socially driven narratives, has been discussed in a recent column by Sharon Waxman, editor-in-chief of Rapp, in the New York Times.

Waxman notes that Hollywood is moving away from the socially conscious themes that have dominated storytelling, casting, and approval processes for over a decade. For instance, she highlights the recent sale of a reboot of the 1992 film, Basic Instinct, as a signal of this change. It suggests that the industry is stepping back from its focus on inclusion and social justice, particularly regarding box office influence.

Another example she brought up is the Netflix series, The Hunting Wives, where characters proudly declare themselves as “hot, horny, white.”

Waxman argues that the backlash against Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ads reflects this change in attitudes within the industry. Critics labeled the campaign as suggestive of eugenics, but it ultimately didn’t faze Sweeney or the brand significantly.

She points out that while Sweeney did apologize and donate to the ACLU, the uproar did not reverberate in Hollywood’s major hubs like Burbank or Beverly Hills, implying a growing detachment from previous social expectations.

Waxman reflects on how Hollywood has faced criticism ranging from the #OSCARSSOWHITE movement to concerns about diversity among creators. In light of this, the industry did seem to attempt some course corrections by promoting more diverse hiring practices. Yet, many Hollywood creatives reportedly felt sidelined in this process.

She further emphasizes the new rules that have established some boundaries around topics and certain narratives that were previously considered fair game. There’s a sentiment that those who might have had their stories sidelined — like white male screenwriters, for example — are starting to voice their discontent.

The changes, according to Waxman, aren’t entirely new. She notes that this shift began before former President Trump’s administration but has accelerated during his current term, particularly with his opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, prompting studios to abandon some controversial policies.

In the landscape where Hollywood’s gatekeepers operate, there’s a noticeable shift. The diversity of voices, once viewed as a crucial asset, appears to be less desirable than it once was.