It’s true. Apocalyptic television has developed into a genre of its own, captivating viewers with bleak scenes, moral dilemmas, and apocalyptic pace.
It’s everywhere from zombie-infested wastelands to dystopian societies on the verge of collapse.
While these stories can be exciting, they also come with some emotional baggage.
Let’s explore why we don’t seem to know enough about the end of the world — and why it might be bad for our collective psyche.
Apocalyptic stories tap into something primal: fear of the unknown.
Shows like The Last of Us and Silo allow us to confront existential fears in controlled environments.
Watching Joel and Ellie navigate a brutal post-apocalyptic world provides a way to deal with anxieties without actually experiencing them. But let’s be honest: recent years have felt apocalyptic at times.
These stories often demonstrate humanity’s extraordinary ability to adapt and survive amid chaos.
Whether battling zombies in “The Walking Dead” or enduring painful survivalism in “Yellow Jackets,” these stories remind us that no matter how bleak things seem, people keep moving forward.
There’s something strangely comforting about being away from the stresses of the real world and focusing on the chaos of fiction.
The stakes are high, the plots are gripping, and there’s a strange satisfaction in rooting for characters battling an alien invasion (Independence Day), dodging an asteroid (Deep Impact), or rebuilding society (Designated Survivor) feel.
Nostalgia also plays a role.
Back in the late 1990s, apocalyptic narratives like Millennium thrived on the collective anxiety surrounding the Y2K bug.
The fear is almost philosophical—what if our technology turns against us? What if the end is really near?
When nothing catastrophic happens, shows like 24 shift the genre toward action-packed optimism, with Jack Bauer not only surviving, but saving the world.
Today’s apocalyptic narratives feel darker and more fatalistic, reflecting a world grappling with climate change, pandemics and political instability.
It’s no longer “What if?” but “Now what?” It’s so Dull! (No wonder these kids are so insane these days! 😉)
Apocalypse across genres
The apocalyptic theme has grown to permeate nearly every genre, with each genre offering a unique take on the end of the world.
Science fiction novels often feature dystopian worlds that are horrifying to watch. In The Silo, humans survive in an underground society ruled by secrecy and tight control.
Its exploration of rebellion and the price of truth resonates with anyone who questions authority.
Drama takes a more intimate approach, as seen in The Last of Us, where brutal loss is combined with tender relationships.
It’s not just about survival; It’s about how love and relationships endure in the worst of times.
Horror raises the apocalyptic stakes to supernatural heights.
Shows like Evil Dead blend apocalyptic scenarios with demon battles, creating a genre mashup that feels larger than life while still grappling with existential fears.
Action films and thrillers like “24” capture the urgency of averting society’s collapse, providing audiences with edge-of-your-seat action as Jack Bauer races against time.
Meanwhile, existential suspense finds a unique home in “Yellow Jackets,” which strips the apocalypse down to a microscopic level.
The show descends into chaos and madness, exploring how people can create their own apocalypse when pushed to the edge, making it as harrowing as a global catastrophe.
The downside to all this doom
Despite its entertainment value, apocalyptic television has its pitfalls. The constant presentation of worst-case scenarios can desensitize viewers to real-world crises.
Watching society crumble over and over again can make events like natural disasters or political instability feel like just another episode of The Walking Dead.
For some viewers, it may even exacerbate existing anxieties.
The constant focus on pandemics, nuclear war, and environmental disasters may start out as escapism, but end up driving people deeper into fears about the future (don’t we see enough of that in the news?) .
These narratives can also distort our sense of reality.
Shows like “The Silo,” “The Last of Us” and many others so vividly depict the collapse of society that it’s easy to start to see the world as much more fragile than it actually is.
Yes, things are chaotic, but how likely is it that civilization will collapse overnight? Not as high as these shows would have us believe.
Hope something happened?
End-of-the-world stories don’t always have to be so bleak.
Early apocalyptic stories often gave room for optimism. On Independence Day, humanity unites to fight back against alien invaders.
Disaster films like Deep Impact balance tragedy with a sense of renewal.
Remember Tea Leoni’s last moments on the beach with her father? Yes, it’s heartbreaking, but it’s also a reminder that humanity is eternal.
Today’s narratives lean heavily toward nihilism. It asks: “How do we survive on what’s left of the land?”
The shift reflects broader cultural pessimism, and while it makes for gripping TV shows, it also risks losing viewers.
But not all shows succumbed to the gloom.
Sweet Tooth offers a refreshing perspective on the genre. The story follows Gus, a boy who navigates a world ravaged by a pandemic with wonder and hope.
His journey is filled with moments of kindness and connection, reminding viewers that even in the darkest of times, light still shines.
Why we need balance
Apocalyptic television will forever have a place in our cultural imagination. It helps us deal with fear, explore resilience, and solve big questions about the future of humanity.
But maybe the pendulum should swing back to stories that leave us with more than just existential horror.
Give us more Designated Survivors to make rebuilding possible, or give us more Sweet Toothers to let hope thrive amidst the rubble.
Let’s get back to the optimism of the early 2000s—that even if the world ends, humanity will find a way to start over.
Remember 9/11? Granted, thousands died that day, but we continue. Why? Because we are resilient.
History has proven this to be true. From world wars to economic collapse, history has proven time and time again that resilience is part of the human spirit.
We adapt, rebuild and keep moving forward. It’s a reminder that while current challenges may feel insurmountable, humans always find ways to persevere.
So, what do you think? Are you ready for doom and gloom, or are you ready for a break from apocalyptic despair?
Let’s hear your thoughts – What’s your favorite apocalyptic TV show?
Leave your picks (and your survival tips) in the comments, and let’s start discussing whether it’s time for television to balance the apocalypse with a more optimistic outlook.
After all, if the end of the world came, wouldn’t you want to go out smiling?
