A Eat-the-Rich film genre is making waves, garnering public recognition without the need for extensive marketing. These films, propelled by word-of-mouth praise for their unique storytelling and compelling narratives rather than heavy marketing. These movies, known for their unique stories and engaging plots, fall into a genre that’s been around but is now stealing the spotlight.
In this article, we’ll explore the intriguing connection between world economics and the resurgence of the “Eat-the-Rich” subgenre, intensified by the global economic downturn of 2019-2020.
Rich vs Poor (2011-2016)
Though not entirely fresh, the “Eat-the-Rich” genre is making a comeback for specific reasons. These films depict characters from the working class thrust into the lavish lives of the super-rich, highlighting the vast gap between the two worlds. Notable titles from this era include:
- In Time (2011)
- The Great Gatsby (2013)
- Hunger Games movie franchise (2012-2015)
- Snowpiercer (2013)
These movies, featuring A-list actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Timberlake, Chris Evans, and Jennifer Lawrence, received acclaim for their storytelling. However, they often portrayed distant, fictional worlds – “In Time”, “Snowpiercer” and “Hunger Games” in dystopian settings, and “The Great Gatsby” in the opulence of the 1920s jazz age.
Economic Context (2011-2016)
Between 2011 and 2016, the global economy experienced a significant recovery from the aftermath of The Great Recession in the 2000s. This economic upswing significantly shaped how audiences perceived the films.
However, it’s worth noting that during this period, despite these films exploring socio-economic disparities, they didn’t stir as much uproar as some might anticipate.
The majority of the world was comfortably situated, and the portrayal of class disparities in these movies might have felt as fictional as the cinematic worlds they depicted, with people focusing on work, family, and leisure without a heightened sensitivity towards the economic divides.
The Modern Wave (2019 Onward)
More recently, a new wave of “Eat-the-Rich” films has emerged, far from big-budget Hollywood productions.
- Parasite (2019)
- The Menu (2022)
- The White Tiger (2021)
- Knives Out (2019)
- Joker (2019)
- Triangle of Sadness (2022)
- Saltburn (2023)
The titles listed above have gained popularity for their realistic portrayal of the socio-economic divide. Unlike their forerunners, these films offer narratives that relatively resonate more deeply with real-world issues.
Changing Audience Reception
What sets these newer films apart is the way audiences perceive them. Unlike their predecessors, these movies strike a chord with viewers by delving into authentic, relatable problems.
The economic downturn of 2019-2020, aggravated by a global pandemic, intensified the separation between the rich and the working class, adding relevance to these films. As audiences grapple with real-world challenges, these movies provide a platform to explore and understand the complexities of the divide between the rich and the working class.
This explains the good public reception of these less-marketed films. It has been met with more uproar for justice and equality as the economy grapples to provide the basic needs of the general public.
The evolution of “Eat-the-Rich” films not only reflects cinema trends but also mirrors societal and economic shifts. As audiences wrestle with real-world challenges, these movies offer a platform to explore and understand the complexities of the divide between the extremely rich and the working class.
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