The Imprint

With a never-ending reel of sequels and reboots, it’s clear we’re stuck in a cycle of wanting what we already know.

From iconic sequels like The Devil Wears Prada 2 to the resurgence of the Harry Potter universe, it seems like everything is a continuation. Are we addicted to nostalgia of the past, or does the Hollywood film industry just know what buttons to push?

Every cinema trip or scroll on social media shows me yet another return to a well-established universe in film. Don’t get me wrong, I, too, am a sucker for a sequel or resurgence (cast your minds back to my blog piece about the timelessness of the Percy Jackson universe, following the reboot). But are we becoming too reliant on past worlds?

Just off the top of your head, I know you can name at least three other sequels, go on, I’ll wait…

…

And if you weirdly can’t, I’ll remind you about Freakier Friday, The Naked Gun 2, and Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, the list goes on and on.

It doesn’t just stop there; old cult classics are also being shown in cinemas as they reach milestone anniversary dates. We have access to almost everything right in the comfort of our homes, but getting immersed in a beloved world from our childhood or even 10 years ago hits like nothing else.

Places like Rooftop Film Club and Everyman on the Canal are booming and more outdoor cinemas are popping up in parks and shopping centres, capturing people and hurling them back into the past or even the future of the past.

Okay, you get it. But what does it really mean?

At its foundation, cinema is escapism; it’s all about leaving our struggles, problems, and nagging thoughts behind to experience a different place, perspective, timeline, or even planet (hello, Dune!).

But the numerous sequels specifically suggest that we are searching for a different type of escapism, not just from our daily life but from the modern world we’ve created. It seems to be our way of coping with constant change and the fear that comes with living in a fast-paced society. It’s our hunt for familiarity, back to a simpler time when we were younger, freer and maybe even happier.

Okay, let me take a breath now, maybe the newness void has been filled by TV. There seems to be a plethora of TV shows that feel fresh and exciting. Think Severance, The Bear, Adolescence or Black Mirror that continually surprise and shock you. They’re bursting with newness, covering layers you hadn’t even considered. However, there is also a selection of TV shows that rewrite old stories, tropes, and character types, again giving us a hit of the past, of things we already love.

In the same vein, but slightly different… Book adaptations seem to be popping up everywhere, bringing famous fictional universes to life on the big screen. Whether it’s a fan favourite Colleen Hoover adaptation or a classic like Wuthering Heights being given a new look, Hollywood has rediscovered a niche that focuses on a new generation of readers. With TikTok shining the spotlight on a selection of books, fan bases are quick to latch on to and back books, which the film industry eagerly follows.

While it feels like a sacred art, I will say, I really love book adaptations… As a reader, seeing scenes you’ve read from books come to life with care and attention is incredible. Let’s just say, I’m really looking forward to Emily Henry’s book, People Who Meet On Vacation, being adapted for Netflix.

Whilst continuations and sequels currently seem mainstream, the desire to reconnect with something familiar and feel-good has always been felt. So, perhaps this isn’t a new era but a notch up in the thread of nostalgia we seem to live with.

What universes do you keep returning to?

And most importantly, what would you want to see a continuation of?

As always, I hope you enjoyed reading this piece and I hope the next one brings you back to The Imprint.

And if you never want to miss out, subscribe, and you’ll get any future blog sent directly to your email!