We went to the movies last weekend. For some reason, that feels old school. I guess because everything on demand through your smart TV keeps us captivated and homeward bound.
What got us off the couch and into the hyper-air-conditioned, popcorn-scented air, sitting in the oversized, reclining seats of the theatre?
Brad Pitt, fast cars and a good ol’ comeback story, of course.
Two hours of everything you’d expect from Hollywood at its best.
Maybe you remember…
Bull Durham (Costner)
The Natural (Redford)
Jerry McGuire (Cruise)
Oh, and…Top Gun Maverick…the last time I enjoyed a movie this much. Way to go, Cruiser!
Different sports, different stakes, different decades.
Same movie, essentially.
- A hero who’s past their prime…or never quite made it.
- A moment when everyone (including themselves) doubts they still have it.
- A trigger – a person, a chance, a challenge – that reignites their drive.
- A comeback that proves them (and us) wrong.
Whether it’s Kevin Costner behind the plate or Robert Redford (as Roy Hobbs), hitting the game-winning home run that shatters the stadium lights. Or…Jerry yelling “SHOW ME THE MONEY”…we love it.
F1 had all the same stuff, and it was…awesome!!
Just what the doctor ordered, on a hot, steamy day in July.
Fun from the first minute.
Suspenseful throughout.
A dash of romance.
A convincing this-is-impossible moment.
A win big enough to defy logic.
A sweet changing-of-the-guard moment at the end to tug at your heartstrings.
And I know with relative certainty that none of you reading this who have NOT yet seen the movie will think I’m giving anything away.
It’s exactly what you expect, and we like it that way.
Why? Because humans love stories with structure.
Hero. Challenge. Transformation. Resolution.
It’s built into our psychology.
There’s a reason every culture in the world, across space and time, tells some form of the hero’s journey. Joseph Campbell, who studied myths across cultures, called it the “monomyth” – a universal story pattern where an ordinary person is called to an adventure, faces trials, overcomes them, and returns transformed.
From ancient legends to Marvel blockbusters, we crave these stories because they remind us that growth comes from challenge, and that we, too, can rise to what life throws our way.
Hollywood knows this.
Ever heard that roughly half of all movies in Hollywood follow the same plot?
That’s because we eat it up.
Why?
Predictability is satisfying. You know what to expect, and you get the dopamine hit your brain craves: Hero wins. Villain loses. We feel good.
Contrast that with movies critics love but leave you feeling…meh.
There’s a whole host of movies that veer from this norm—the artsy films. The ‘industry’ likes them. They win awards.
Like:
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Won the Oscar. Left everyone gutted as the villain walked free.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Critically acclaimed.
What even happened? Anything?
Then there’s last year’s Best Picture Oscar winner
Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Didn’t get it. Made it through the first 15 minutes before we bailed.
I’m no movie critic, and you can call me basic, but…meh
There’s a lesson here for all of us.
Whether you’re telling a story to your team, customers, or friends – they want:
A hero they can relate to and root for.
Drama to capture their interest.
Bad guys or boogie men.
The sweet victory of overcoming it.
So yes, bring on the feel gooders
Critics can keep their question marks.
The rest of us will take a hero who wins, a villain who loses, and the satisfaction of the happy ending.
Nothing wrong with just buckling up and enjoying the ride.
Mary
P.S. We help visionary leaders and organizations achieve more impact through purpose, engagement and storytelling. When you’re ready, here’s how we can help:
- Build the story of your impact through Envision OnPrpose™
- Energize your people’s potential from the inside out with Engage OnPrpose™
- Amplify your industry voice through Influence OnPrpose™
- Develop purpose-driven leaders and storytellers with Influential Leaders Circle™
P.P.S. Check out past One Thing Thursdays here.