What if the characters we binge-watch are shaping our worldview more than we realize?
It started as a subtle feeling. Just a flicker of unease while watching a seemingly “normal” show. Nothing overly dark, no horror or drama—it was a typical Hollywood series with good production value, relatable characters, and decent dialogue. But episode after episode, I noticed something that began to gnaw at me.
Everyone was miserable.
Not in a dramatic, “plot-twist” kind of way, but in a soul-wearied, apathetic, disconnected-from-life kind of way. The parents resented their kids. The spouses quietly hated each other. The jobs were soul-sucking. The friendships were shallow. Faith, if mentioned at all, was either mocked or nonexistent. And worst of all? These characters never really got out of it. They just… endured.
At first, I brushed it off. “Maybe it’s just this show.” Then I noticed it again. And again. And again. Because once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it.
What I once thought was just lazy storytelling started to feel more like intentional messaging. And it got me asking—what’s really going on here?
Are These Just Stories… or Something More?
There’s a reason writers start with unhappy characters: conflict is the backbone of storytelling. But here’s the problem—traditional storytelling resolves that conflict. Redemption, reconciliation, growth… those used to be the payoff. Today? The “resolution” is often just acceptance of misery with a sarcastic shrug. And that’s not storytelling—it’s soul erosion.
Let’s look at a few glaring examples (and BTW, I enjoyed some of these shows!):
Married with Children – Al Bundy loathes his wife, his kids, his job, and his entire existence. It was marketed as comedy, but beneath the laughs is a message: family is a prison, marriage is misery, and life is something you tolerate, not enjoy.
Shameless – A dysfunctional family led by a neglectful, alcoholic father where chaos is the norm. There’s no real growth or healing—just increasingly destructive behavior, masked as edgy realism.
Breaking Bad – Walter White begins as a man trying to provide for his family but becomes a ruthless, unrepentant drug lord. The show masterfully depicts his descent, but offers no true redemption—only a warning that power corrupts absolutely.
The Office (yes, even this beloved one) – While funny and relatable, many characters quietly hate their jobs, feel stuck in mediocrity, and have relationships that stall or self-destruct.
BoJack Horseman – An animated show that’s basically a masterclass in glorifying apathy and existential despair. It’s smart and self-aware—but ultimately hopeless.
Mad Men, Euphoria, Succession, and even more recent hits like Beef and The Bear continue this pattern: deeply flawed, unhappy people spiraling while the audience watches passively.
This isn’t about vilifying the artistry of these shows—many are brilliantly written and acted. But the patterns matter. When nearly every story centers on discontent, dysfunction, and despair without a glimmer of meaningful change, we have to wonder: Is this really just entertainment… or is it indoctrination?
We’re now in a culture shaped by postmodernism, a worldview that ditches truth, mocks tradition, and preaches meaninglessness. Hollywood has been marinating in that ideology for decades. So it’s no surprise that stories reflect it:
Marriage? A trap.
Parenthood? A burden.
Work? A joke.
Faith? A fantasy.
But here’s the kicker: when these narratives saturate our media, they reshape our perception of reality. Slowly, we start to adopt the apathy we see. We echo the hopelessness. We begin to believe that joy, purpose, and meaning are myths—and that anyone who believes otherwise is naive or foolish.
What Does Scripture Say About This?
Romans 12:2 reminds us:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
That’s not just good advice—it’s a survival strategy. The world (and yes, that especially includes Hollywood) has an agenda. Whether intentional or subconscious, it’s selling us a version of life that’s completely devoid of hope, purpose, and God.
But Jesus says in John 10:10:
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
That doesn’t mean a perfect life—but a meaningful one. One where joy and peace are possible, where family matters, where work can be a calling, and where love is sacrificial, not transactional.
So, What Can We Do About It?
1. Be Discerning, Not Disengaged
We don’t have to swear off all media—but we should absolutely vet what we consume. Ask: Does this reflect what is true, noble, lovely, and of good report? (Philippians 4:8)
2. Re-center Your Mind on Truth
Daily time in God’s Word is how we resist subtle cultural brainwashing. We need to recalibrate our hearts and minds to His reality, not Hollywood’s fiction.
3. Create and Support Better Stories
As a believer, I’m being called to be salt and light. That means writing, producing, and promoting content that doesn’t just entertain—it edifies.
And for all of us, it means leaning into stories that are honest about pain, but don’t abandon hope. Stories that show brokenness, but also healing.
4. Speak Truth in Everyday Conversation
When you hear someone echoing that same old lie—”Everyone hates their job” or “Marriage is just misery”—challenge it gently but boldly. Share your perspective. Share what God says. Speak life.
Final Thought:
The enemy would love nothing more than a world of people too numb to care, too hopeless to act, and too disconnected to seek God. But we are not called to that kind of life.
We were made for more.
So the next time you notice the misery on screen, don’t just fast-forward through it. Ask why it’s there. Ask what it’s doing to your soul. And most importantly—ask what God wants you to see instead.
