Gen Z and the movies
Summary
This episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour features a segment from It’s Been a Minute, where host Brittany Luce discusses the box office success of horror films Obsession and Backrooms with Slate’s Sam Adams and critic Rihanna Cruz. They analyze why Gen Z has become the largest movie-going demographic, attributing it to social media discourse, subscription services, and a craving for collective theatrical experiences. The conversation explores how these films, directed by young creators, resonate with Gen Z through themes of digital aesthetics, doomerism, and a sense of ownership over the content.
Topics discussed
Intro: Gen Z drives horror box office success
Panelists review Obsession and Backrooms
Why Gen Z is the biggest movie-going demographic
The YouTuber-to-director pipeline in horror
Break and listener appreciation
Ads: Dell, Bombas, Tiny Desk, Consider This
Social media, Letterboxd, and AMC A-List
Movie theater value and generational film vibes
Defining the Gen Z movie aesthetic
Doomerism and hopelessness in modern horror
Horror as a platform for young filmmakers
Hollywood's response and episode conclusion
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