The themes of aging and the desire to conform to society’s beauty standards have been a constant theme in recent films, with films such as The Neon Demon (2016), Bombshell (2019), Many films, such as Promising Young Woman (2020), tackle this issue. Topics from different perspectives.
Recent youth-centered films reflect society’s stereotypes about eternal beauty and body image. A recent study conducted by the British Mental Health Foundation revealed that 31% of teenagers feel ashamed of their body image due to social media pressure (source). The most recent example of a film that explores this issue is Coralie Farguito’s Substance (2024), which deals with the idea that youth and beauty are the ultimate ideals, especially for women in Hollywood.
As cinema becomes more self-aware and releases films like Substance that clearly question society’s view of beauty standards, we have to ask ourselves: Are we moving towards a more constructive era of cinema that directly raises these issues, and thus we are moving between unrealistic beauty expectations and dangerous body representation? Are we making constructive progress in this fight? Or is there still a lot of work to be done to ensure that younger generations don’t feel so much pressure to look “perfect”?
Gen Z, body image and media
“Today’s young people face increasing pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, both through social and traditional media,” said UCD student Heather Coyle (19). year old) says:
This week, Tammy Darcy, CEO and founder of the Shona Project, spoke to Youth Lab about the impact media and social media have on body image, especially for young girls. “The Shona Project has been dedicated to empowering people. However, in recent years we have seen an alarming increase in insecurities, primarily around body image, self-esteem and skill sets. Media Despite parents’ efforts to boost their children’s self-confidence, the pervasive influence of social media and social media can undermine children’s self-esteem the moment they step outside. To help develop the next generation of women leaders, policy makers, and change-makers, we encourage them to be critical of their media environments. We have to help them navigate and understand that much of what they see on social media is filtered, edited, and out of touch with reality.”
In recent years, Gen Z has become more vocal about issues surrounding body image and unrealistic beauty standards, directly caused by the influx of marketing and advertising in the beauty, skincare, and fashion industries. A report by Irish body image organization Bodywhys highlights that 72% of young people in Ireland report that body image issues impact on their mental health (source).
Gone are the days when we are constantly bombarded by influencers trying to sell the latest makeup releases or advertising campaigns that only show able-bodied, subjectively beautiful people. Gen Z craves a more diverse landscape that includes all kinds of expression. The parameters of beauty are changing and constantly evolving to include all types of body types, skin tones, shapes, sizes, and more.
Films like The Substance work to open up conversations about aging, youth, and beauty.
“Body image issues and the desire for eternal youth may not necessarily be themes worthy of being made into body horror and shock value films, but ‘Substance’ shows Hollywood is ready for it. Look within and address the impossible beauty standards that have been forced upon you for years. ” – Eva (26) Youth Lab
In this issue of 52INSIGHTS, we explore how cinema’s continued sexualization of young people is exacerbating these pressures, leading young audiences to view their self-worth through the increasingly narrow lens of appearance and youth. I think so.
move in a positive direction
After a decade of advertising industry campaigns like “Run Like a Girl” and DOVE’s “Real Beauty,” advertising standards center on real beauty, diversity, and a reassessment of how women are portrayed in Hollywood. have driven substantial change, but we ask whether these proactive efforts are effective. The advertising industry is being offset by the negative effects of today’s media that current movies have highlighted.
Movies like Substance depict idealized notions of youth, but positive change is afoot. Organizations such as BAFTA’s Elevate (source) and the British Film Institute’s (BFI) Diversity Standards (source) are enforcing and actively promoting more inclusive and realistic depictions of beauty on screen. . These programs encourage the film industry to cast diverse body types and challenge traditional beauty norms.
Historically, aging in film and media has been stigmatized, especially for women. But films like Nomadland and The Farewell reimagine this narrative by focusing on characters who rewrite traditional standards of beauty and age. These films are not only successful, but also praised for their authentic and graceful depiction of aging. Such representations offer younger viewers a more tolerant view of aging and emphasize the positive nuances associated with aging.
Despite continuing problems in the media regarding the sexualization of young people, positive steps are being taken. Programs such as Media Smart in the UK and Ireland work with schools and media producers to educate young audiences about media literacy and the dangers of harmful stereotypes. Their aim is to work with this emerging generation, who are increasingly aware of the dangers of a lack of diversity and who can critically engage with the portrayal of body images on screen. Films like Lady Bird (2017) and Booksmart (2019) successfully portray young women in non-sexual, nuanced roles that are more wholesome to Gen Z viewers. provides a unique perspective.
Movies like the ones mentioned above, and in some ways even Substance, prove that the film industry is slowly evolving and taking a healthier, more inclusive and understanding view of body image narratives. A number of active efforts are underway to promote this. These efforts demonstrate that cinema plays an absolutely vital role in reshaping public perceptions of beauty and age, and that films are becoming more self-aware and approaching these subjects with a more progressive attitude. There should be further positive movement towards addressing this issue.
Outlook for the future
We can learn so much about how future generations want to see themselves and be portrayed by how the film industry responds. Hollywood is increasingly aware of the need for change, and while films like Substance are on the brink of obsolescence, the film has ignored important discussions about body image and diversity under the carpet. It shows that we are approaching a time when things will be faced and considered, rather than being judged. Hollywood and Screen Ireland have both launched initiatives aimed at promoting diversity in storytelling and improving representation of body image (source). Screen Ireland’s Pathways program (source) focuses on promoting inclusivity on and off screen and encouraging filmmakers to embrace diverse stories.
“Modern audiences have made very clear their desire for more diverse and multifaceted representation within the media they consume. This is a classic example of Hollywood getting it wrong. Instead of stripping all kinds of people of roles and opportunities, there’s an uproar over them being replaced by CGI versions. We need examples of diversity and representation” – Robin (28) NFI.
Looking ahead, films like The Farewell (2019) and Nomadland (2020) offer glimpses of a more authentic and optimistic future where aging is embraced and diverse expressions thrive. You can. While we as a society clearly have a long way to go in the conversation around body positivity and inclusivity, efforts across the industry will help shape a more balanced and honest cinematic landscape and support the emergence of a new generation. We can only hope that media will continue to evolve in line with this. .
brand takeout
This growing conversation about body image and aging, as seen in films like Substance, highlights important opportunities for brands in the advertising and media space. Both the film and advertising industries are responding to growing demands from Gen Z to create a more inclusive environment overall. The efforts of companies like DOVE and Fenti to become more inclusive are continually praised and should be held as the industry standard and benchmark for campaigns that even slightly violate this theme. Our collective journey towards a holistic approach to beauty is far from over, but brands like this will lead the way in reshaping social norms around all aspects of self-image and acceptance. .
