{"id":109746,"date":"2026-05-07T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/?p=109746"},"modified":"2026-05-07T11:08:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T09:08:22","slug":"modern-romance-movies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/modern-romance-movies\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Modern Romance Movies Evolving Backwards?"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:52.261790182868%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:49.63436928702%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:44.744186046512%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:51.677852348993%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:56.166666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:61.6%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:53.166666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-8::before{padding-top:56.333333333333%; }img#mv-trellis-img-8{display:block;}<\/style>\n<p>It feels like it&rsquo;s been ages since we got a rom-com that actually respected the <strong>genre&rsquo;s potential<\/strong>.&nbsp;These movies keep devolving right in front of our eyes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&rsquo;re trading humor for wardrobe malfunctions and genuine chemistry between actors for&hellip; hot people looking hot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&rsquo;s explore why modern romance movies feel like they&rsquo;re actively trying to <strong>ruin love for us<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Style Over Substance<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-109758\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1039\" height=\"543\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4.jpg 1039w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4-768x401.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4-18x9.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4-960x502.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4-170x89.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1039\" height=\"543\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201039%20543'%3E%3Crect%20width='1039'%20height='543'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109758 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4.jpg 1039w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4-768x401.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4-18x9.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4-960x502.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-4-170x89.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.vogue.com\/photos\/60f0248536bc628a52089c24\/master\/w_2560%2Cc_limit\/lionsgate-1930018-208516-Full-Image_GalleryBackground-en-US-1596011053544._RI_.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@assets.vogue<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The most obvious issue plaguing Hollywood right now is the utter lack of substance hidden behind a pretty face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There&rsquo;s still an occasional gem, don&rsquo;t get me wrong, but genres like dramedy, rom-com, romance, and comedy are approached with an embarrassing <strong>lack of seriousness<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Movies have never cost more, yet they&rsquo;ve never felt cheaper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Modern filmmakers seem to think that casting a guy with a sharp jawline equals a good script.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They find a tall, handsome young actor and expect us to buy the romance, although there&rsquo;s zero substance to his character or the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He&rsquo;s there to look broody in a leather jacket, while his personality is as deep as a puddle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And don&rsquo;t get me started on the female leads! They&rsquo;ve been nothing but bland since the Twilight era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00c8 un <strong>self-insert<\/strong>, allowing viewers to picture themselves as they watch the movie, but it&rsquo;s a terrible idea. It makes the main character utterly empty.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Cheating as a Plot Device<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-109759\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1094\" height=\"543\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5.jpg\" alt=\"romance movie\" class=\"wp-image-109759\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5.jpg 1094w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5-300x149.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5-1024x508.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5-768x381.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5-18x9.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5-960x476.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5-1080x536.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5-170x84.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1094\" height=\"543\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201094%20543'%3E%3Crect%20width='1094'%20height='543'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"romance movie\" class=\"wp-image-109759 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5.jpg 1094w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5-300x149.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5-1024x508.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5-768x381.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5-18x9.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5-960x476.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5-1080x536.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-5-170x84.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pyxis.nymag.com\/v1\/imgs\/5cb\/ade\/590c316f1db1883992c8bcf354ccd52f03-after.2x.rsocial.w600.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@pyxis.nymag<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This one has been all over the internet lately, since people can&rsquo;t help but notice it. It&rsquo;s in everything!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Truth be told, it&rsquo;s not only in modern rom-coms, but in them, it&rsquo;s a given.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From movies like &ldquo;After&rdquo; and &ldquo;Wuthering Heights&rdquo; to Netflix hits like &ldquo;Through My Window,&rdquo; <strong>cheating<\/strong> is basically the <strong>main plot point<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It normalizes infidelity to <strong>impressionable<\/strong> viewers and presents it not as betrayal, but as something that must happen in a relationship at some point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It teaches viewers that if you&rsquo;re unhappy or unfulfilled by your partner, the right thing to do isn&rsquo;t to talk to them or simply break up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No, apparently, the right move is to break their heart, give them trust issues, and humiliate them all over the town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s framed as following your heart, but it&rsquo;s just being a terrible person.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. The Glorification of Toxicity<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-109760\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1075\" height=\"481\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6.jpg 1075w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6-300x134.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6-1024x458.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6-768x344.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6-18x8.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6-960x430.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6-170x76.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1075\" height=\"481\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201075%20481'%3E%3Crect%20width='1075'%20height='481'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109760 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-3\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6.jpg 1075w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6-300x134.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6-1024x458.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6-768x344.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6-18x8.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6-960x430.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-6-170x76.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/5f1b3f20d14261210b6a0a7e\/e1519ce3-7530-40b1-90da-6c2642fedcfc\/Screen+Shot+2023-02-21+at+1.16.19+PM.png?format=1500w&amp;content-type=image%2Fpng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@images.squarespace-cdn<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>We talk about toxicity day and night; everything&rsquo;s toxic, and everything affects our mental health. Our awareness is huge on paper, but in romance movies?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It runs the plot.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Half of these stories wouldn&rsquo;t exist without the brooding, lying, cheating, and manipulation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the characters actually communicated like adults, the film would be ten minutes long.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make matters worse, the toxicity is sold to us as <strong>chemistry and passion<\/strong>. We&rsquo;re meant to believe that if a guy is controlling and jealous, it means he loves you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bad boy trope used to be fun and typically about class difference; now it&rsquo;s about emotional unavailability and erratic behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Filmmakers need to learn that stories can have <strong>tensione<\/strong> without it being <strong>unhealthy<\/strong>, but writing that would actually require some effort.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Nonsensical Plots<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-109761\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1043\" height=\"539\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109761\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8.jpg 1043w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8-300x155.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8-1024x529.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8-768x397.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8-18x9.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8-960x496.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8-170x88.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1043\" height=\"539\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201043%20539'%3E%3Crect%20width='1043'%20height='539'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109761 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-4\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8.jpg 1043w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8-300x155.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8-1024x529.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8-768x397.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8-18x9.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8-960x496.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-8-170x88.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FCtMxTGuUF2SE2r7g6jgMG.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Back in the day, with rom-coms such as &ldquo;Kate and Leopold&rdquo; or &ldquo;How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,&rdquo; plots were definitely convoluted and naive, but they were at least fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tu <strong>suspended disbelief<\/strong> because the charm carried you through. Modern romance falls short even there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These movies are typically a long string of convenient accidents, drama, and potty humor, and it all feels juvenile at best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Characters don&rsquo;t make choices; things just happen to them. It&rsquo;s lazy writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There&rsquo;s no buildup or slow burn, just a series of contrived events designed to put the leads in the same room.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It often feels like the filmmakers are <strong>spitballing ideas<\/strong> as they go: insert embarrassing mishap here, followed by a misunderstanding that could be solved with a single text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&rsquo;re smarter than this, and we deserve stories that make sense from point A to point B.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Outdated Tropes<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-109756\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"674\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-960x539.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-1080x606.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-170x95.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"674\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20674'%3E%3Crect%20width='1200'%20height='674'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109756 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-5\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-960x539.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-1080x606.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-7-170x95.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/igenerationstudios.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/KissingBoothBackground2-1-crop.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@igenerationstudios<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Remember how horror movies from the 2000s were criticized for glorifying virgins? Like, the final girl always had to be the &ldquo;pure&rdquo; one, while everyone else met a gruesome fate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, 2020&rsquo;s rom-coms are doing the exact same thing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main girl always has to be a blank slate, <strong>inexperienced and naive<\/strong>, so a toxic man can swoop in to shape her as it suits him. It&rsquo;s borderline grooming, to be honest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why can&rsquo;t a girl have a past? Why does she have to be naive for the romance to matter?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s all so <strong>regressive<\/strong> and patronizing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. The Lack of Character Growth<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-109757\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"616\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109757\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3-960x591.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3-170x105.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"616\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201000%20616'%3E%3Crect%20width='1000'%20height='616'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109757 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-6\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3-960x591.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-3-170x105.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/writingstudio.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/BEAUTIFUL.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@writingstudio<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>So, how do characters actually change in these movies, except for the worse?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They often end up being the same people we saw at the beginning of the film, except they might have settled with a partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&rsquo;s the whole <strong>character arc<\/strong>. The unhealthy tendencies, mood swings, and manipulation typically stay, but we should believe that they were fixed through love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Believable growth is hard to write, but the payoff is wonderful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In these rom-coms, the main couple just agrees to tolerate each other because the attraction is undeniable. That&rsquo;s our happy ending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Abuse = Passion<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-109755\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109755\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2-300x159.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2-1024x544.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2-768x408.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2-960x510.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2-1080x574.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2-170x90.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"638\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20638'%3E%3Crect%20width='1200'%20height='638'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109755 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2-300x159.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2-1024x544.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2-768x408.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2-960x510.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2-1080x574.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-2-170x90.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/thmb\/HhYY-BKuqvLmmgCg7VPQyf49l7k=\/1500x0\/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()\/sierra_burgess_is_a_loser_1h37m5s139668f_r-2000-c06c32bd3569469aba3e02f116d10419.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@ew.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>If I see one more scene of a guy dragging a girl away by her arm, I&rsquo;m going to scream.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In these movies, the characters always have to put hands on each other, yell, and hurt one another on purpose to make a point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I get it that the filmmakers want to show us how strong or passionate their male character is, but I&rsquo;m sure there are different ways to do that other than <strong>manhandling<\/strong> a woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s disturbing that this is being sold to young audiences as <strong>what desire looks like<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can have a heated moment without someone getting pushed or grabbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&rsquo;s stop pretending that abuse is a love language.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Selling the Wrong Idea of Love<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-109754\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"676\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109754\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-960x541.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-170x96.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"676\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20676'%3E%3Crect%20width='1200'%20height='676'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109754 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-8\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-960x541.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/romance-movies-modern-1-170x96.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baltimoremagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/wuthering-heights-header-1-1200x675.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@baltimoremagazine<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Each generation needs to make their mistakes and eventually learn about the nature of love, but these movies keep dragging them down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These stories keep framing <strong>chemistry as connection<\/strong>, and it&rsquo;s simply not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s like they&rsquo;re trying to say that a relationship that gives you peace and comfort isn&rsquo;t worth having.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The characters in these rom-coms always end up trading their functional, loving relationships for an <strong>anxiety-inducing<\/strong> mess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The message seems to be: If you have a partner who makes you feel wonderful, make sure to cheat on them with the biggest jerk you can find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s setting young people up for failure.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It feels like it&rsquo;s been ages since we got a rom-com that actually respected the genre&rsquo;s potential.&nbsp;These movies keep devolving right in front of our &hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":109754,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"syndication_tool_enabled":true,"syndication_tool_title":"","syndication_tool_excerpt":"","syndication_tool_featured_image":0,"syndication_tool_publish_date":"","syndication_tool_schema_types":["article"],"syndication_tool_backlink_enable":false,"syndication_tool_ai_disclosure_enable":false,"disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"Article","disable-critical-css":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[181,182],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-109746","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-relationships","category-lifestyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=109746"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109746\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":110856,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109746\/revisions\/110856"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=109746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=109746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}