How Forced Narratives Alienate Audiences

Forced narratives, especially those that prioritize political or social agendas over compelling storytelling, can alienate audiences by making them feel as though they’re being preached to rather than entertained. While diversity, inclusion, and representation are essential in modern storytelling, when these elements are shoehorned into a story with little regard for character development or plot, they often feel contrived.

Take, for example, the Star Wars sequel trilogy. While The Force Awakens introduces Rey as a strong female lead, her rapid abilities and lack of a clearly defined personal struggle make her less engaging than other iconic characters. The story seemed more focused on making a statement about gender equality than on giving Rey the rich, complex arc she deserved.

Similarly, Peter Pan & Wendy (2023) faced criticism for its attempts to force diversity without grounding it in the narrative. Characters of color were introduced in important roles, but the lack of meaningful backstory and development led to their inclusion feeling more like an agenda than a natural part of the story.

Forced narratives often diminish the value of the characters they’re meant to represent, turning them into mere symbols rather than fully realized, multifaceted people. Authentic representation comes when diverse characters are integrated into stories in ways that enhance the plot and offer real, nuanced experiences—not when they feel like an afterthought designed to check off boxes.