Why Are Movies So Dark Now?

A recent trend in cinematography includes dimly lit shots and desaturated color. From Game of Thrones (HBO) to Stranger Things (Netflix) to The Batman (Warner Bros), film and television are getting really visually dark. But what does this mean for viewers? Many complain about not being able to see what’s going on in film or television anymore, but the industry continues to pump out dark films. This trend began with noir themes and, as the concept of the anti-hero became more popular, more and more media went darker to catch up. But, what does this really look like in practice? 

The Wizard of Oz vs. Wicked: Color Saturation

The Wizard of Oz (1939) is famous for a lot of different reasons, but one of the film’s most iconic elements is the use of Technicolor film. Color is an important part of the narrative structure and story of The Wizard of Oz, and the film was also one of the first to use color. The technology of producing a technicolor picture was created in 1932, and references to technicolor today often focus on bright and saturated films from the 1930s-1950s. You would think, with this being such a landmark aspect of the source material, that the highly anticipated Wicked (2024) would try to curate a similar aesthetic. However, following more current trends, director Jon M. Chu chose to keep the film desaturated. Is bright color really out of fashion for filmmakers?

Critics and reviewers of Wicked have noted that the color grading is one of its most significant problems, especially in the wake of a film like The Wizard of Oz. Chu commented that his goal was to “immerse people into Oz” and “make it a real place,” as opposed to the falsity that the use of technicolor attaches to Oz in The Wizard of Oz. It can be argued whether or not Chu was successful in his intentional use of desaturated color grading, but this debate speaks towards a larger discussion on the way we perceive our own world through film. Chu argues that the world is desaturated, and attempts to recreate this in a natural way during Wicked, but in a movie with flying monkeys and magic, is reality something that we should even be considering? 

Darkness in Modern Cinematography

The newfound darkness in modern cinematography can, potentially, be chalked up to a change in medium. When transitioning from analog film to digital cameras, the necessary precautions for lighting a scene change. Cinematographer Neil Oseman notes that using celluloid meant benefiting more from overexposure, as highlights were diminished and shadows sometimes got lost in the grain. Digital cameras support under-exposure more, as highlights can sometimes appear harsh or jarring. 

Additionally, supporting Chu’s intentions, there is a chance that lighting in film and television has drifted towards a more realistic approach. It is not necessarily that the world itself is dark, but that darkness is a convenient lighting trick that implies realism and grit. Technology for media consumption has also improved significantly. A traditional television, with natural contrast given by cathode ray tubes, would support a flatter and brighter image, as the technology within the television works to correct it for the viewer. Modern flat screens are often less reflective, have less natural contrast, and are larger. Therefore, it is easier for the eye to interpret darker and less contrasted images on a flatscreen. 

Artistry versus Watchability

A second question arises when we consider the technology and means of media consumption in modern film and television: whose responsibility is it to control the color and lighting? We can all change our brightness or color settings on laptops, phones, or tablets – does that ultimately leave it to the viewer? Or do cinematographers have some sort of inherent responsibility to the audience of phone and tablet users to make a watchable film, no matter how it’s streamed?

The answer to this question can be debated, but an important element to consider is the intent of the cinematographer on the audience. If you want an audience to lean in close, need to squint or struggle to see, then darkness can be your friend. But it doesn’t have to be the default “real world” setting. Watching film and television nowadays feels like it has moved beyond realistic lighting portrayals, towards a world that is darker and harder to see. At the end of the day, film is a visual medium, so audience visibility is important. Additionally, being smart about when you are using darkness can help strengthen its place in your film. 

Benefits of Using More Light and Color

Using light and color has a lot of storytelling benefits for the filmmaker. Film is a visual medium, and including color and light in that storytelling process helps the film appear more cohesive, as well as benefits the viewer’s perception of the story while watching. La La Land, for example, attaches colors to each character in order to display the film’s central romance coming together, and then falling apart. This creates a visual cohesion throughout the film that incites emotion in the viewer. Additionally, the colorful nature of La La Land quickly became a part of what many people love so much about it. 

A color palette and bold saturation choice is a great way to add a brand and personality to your film as well. Think of The Substance (2024) and its iconic green syringe or pink bodysuit. Due to the technicolor roots of film technology’s past, there is also a nostalgic factor to films using bold color choices. Colors are also psychologically associated with certain emotions or moods, and they can be interesting tools for foreshadowing or carrying emotional weight. The Sixth Sense (1999), for example, uses a bold, bright red color to symbolize the presence of ghosts. It blends with a lot of the production design, but once the twist at the end is revealed, it is clear that the placement of the red is not an accident. If this red were muted, its effects would be lessened as well. 

Overall, there is a place for color, and there is a place for darkness, but it is important to remember that neither should be regarded as a “default” option. Both are narrative tools that should be used to push your story further, and depending on the genre, characters, and symbolism you’re trying to portray, each film’s needs will be different. Using unique lighting and color can help give your film a unique visual perspective that makes it more memorable to audiences; telling a story through visual elements like color and lighting will make you a stronger cinematographer. 

Learn more about Auteurnet and how we can help you build your creative community.