Dear Moviemakers— Stop Romanticizing Death
By: Macey Malone
Tags: Death And Dying, Media Criticism, Death, Mass Media, Society

Photo by Hugo Ceneviva from Pexels

When it comes to the depiction of death in movies, there are three things that come to my mind — misleading, unrealistic and overdramatic. It’s because in recent times movies, talks, shows, seminars, webinars, lectures etc. portray death as something not as bad as someone thinks or how it is conquerable or how fearing death is an act of cowardice. I think one of these days we will be led to believe that death is another journey that people can take on and will eventually win (I am sure the ancient Egyptians would feel validated). Not everything in life is about winning and most certainly death is definitely not one of those things that one can win.

We love entertainment and drama and a variety of interesting concepts that emerge from the film and television industry. I am not only talking about the blood and gore as well as extremely violent deaths that we get to witness on TV, but also the more ‘softer’ version of deaths. The overall message that the show and filmmakers try to convey is that ‘death is easy, things move on, you are a heroic winner if you choose death over defeat’ and so on and so forth. Fantasized versions of death in movies and shows have become increasingly spectacular. Unfortunately, these images are far from deaths in real life, but through their repetitious portrayal in audiovisual media, including games, these spectacular and detailed deaths have been normalized and audiences have become accustomed to encountering death through these unrealistic and mediated images. This constant portrayal of death in such ways that are not realistic won’t do any good to the society. Here’s why:

Misleading

Portrayal of death has repeatedly left audiences in shock for years especially if their favorite characters die in the most tragic ways. However, when some evil characters die, they are shown to choose death over defeat or letting go of their evil intentions. This is wrong in every possible way as people are made to believe that it is okay when evil people simply let go of their morals or values and accept death in the process, which would bring them contentment. The idea ‘death over defeat’ is wrong to the core and real life is nothing like this. When one is gone, they are gone for good. This is shameful for society as this is not what we should be teaching our next generation. One should know and realize that once in death, a person has no control over their surroundings and deeds and everything comes to an end.

Unrealistic

When natural deaths hit the silver screen they are shown as quiet and tranquil. In terms of showing in a context of prevention, suffering, palliation, or community supports, death should be shown as a natural process of life. It is inevitable but also doesn’t look the same for all. No way it should be shown as a means to skip depression, poverty, stress, and all types of issues one can imagine. The modern society is then bound to think of death as a way of ‘escape’ and can basically do whatever they like in their life just so they can get away with their deeds. Again, this is wrong and shouldn’t be portrayed in such a away. Death is not an escape — it is the end of a journey where everything comes to an end in the most unexpected ways.

Overdramatic

Somehow people believe that with death everything will be fine or that they will find peace. What they don’t understand is that even though death could take away the pain for the dying person, it only brings so much pain to whoever is close to them. The whole “ride or die” thing is extremely overrated. It is a term often used to romanticize toxic relationships in the modern world. This has also led to a belief that true love is painful, dramatic, or dangerous — which is not true at all. True love is calming, comforting, and in the right situations perfect. There should be less drama and more realism into what some of these moviemakers feed us with. Of course, there should be entertainment but it doesn’t have to be the extent when society would start feeding on the improper and abnormal ideas only to face a different reality in real life.

All these portrayals have a direct impact on an individual’s mental health and today’s generation needs a lot more support in this regard than anyone else.