The Rise and Fall of Genres
The concept of the genre cycle, most famously articulated by film theorist Thomas Schatz, posits that film genres are not static categories but are dynamic forms that evolve in a cyclical pattern over time. A cycle is typically initiated by a landmark film that achieves significant critical and commercial success. This success spawns a wave of similar films that imitate the original’s formula, leading to a period of intense production within that genre. As the genre matures, filmmakers begin to play with, subvert, and eventually parody its conventions, leading to the decline of the cycle and the emergence of a new one.
The Four Stages of a Cycle
A genre cycle can often be broken down into four distinct phases:
| Stage | Characteristics | Example (The Western) |
|---|---|---|
| Primitive | The genre’s conventions are first being established and explored. The tropes are novel and not yet codified. | Early silent westerns. |
| Classic | A landmark film solidifies the genre’s values, themes, and iconography. The genre is at the peak of its popularity. | Stagecoach (1939), the films of John Ford and John Wayne in the 1950s. |
| Revisionist | Filmmakers begin to question and critique the classic conventions. The themes become more complex, ambiguous, and often darker. | The Wild Bunch (1969), McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971). |
| Parodic | The genre’s conventions are so well-known that they are openly mocked. This self-aware stage often signals the end of the cycle’s dominance. | Blazing Saddles (1974). |
What Drives a Cycle?
Genre cycles are driven by a combination of factors. The economic incentive to replicate a box office hit is a primary driver. However, these cycles also reflect the prevailing social and cultural anxieties of their time. The rise of the 1950s sci-fi monster movie cycle, for instance, is often read as a reflection of Cold War fears about nuclear annihilation and communist infiltration. The modern superhero genre cycle can be seen as a response to post-9/11 anxieties and a desire for clear moral certainty.