The HBO procedural Mare of Easttown (2021) and teen drama Euphoria (2019-) exemplify how television strives to challenge escapist tendencies by offering authentic depictions of people within their respective scopes, yet, what separates the two shows is their varied approaches to crafting the dramatic story. While Mare of Easttown understands how everyday life and interpersonal relationships can be a fruitful source of drama, Euphoria makes a spectacle of trauma and relies heavily on shock value to elevate tension and suspense in its audience.

This call for an expanded cultural palette is a sentiment that has created a tangible impact within both America’s film industry and its mainstream film-watching culture. In the past few years more American productions have embraced multilingualism, spurned both by a desire for cultural authenticity and a recognition of the changing tastes of audiences.