When Things Aren’t Great, We Love Seeing Rich People Be Stupid
The White Lotus, the Menu and Glass Onion are okay, but that’s not why we watch them.
You’ve noticed this trend, right?
Rich people behaving badly, on streaming and in your local movie theater. This boom is so ubiquitous right now it seems it’s already turning into a cliche.
I watched three of the really hyped-up shows and movies that have come out recently, and all I can think of is: “Really?”
Is this really as revolutionary as people make it seem? And why is this so trendy right now?
We Need a Conscience
The White Lotus (HBO) was a middle-of-the-pandemic runaway success. A story about rich people in a tropical paradise, with mystery and social commentary included.
The very first episode reveals someone is going to die, and the rest of the show is watching relationships unravel while Hawaiian music plays and minute-long shots of the ocean almost take you on the trip you really can’t afford in real life but would really love to.
Throw in a couple of snarky Gen Z girls reading books, an outsider in an unhappy marriage, funny hotel staff with secrets and a dysfunctional family, and you’ve got a…
