The Period Piece and Why It is Slowly Destroying Creativity in Film

The period piece — a film set in a specific historical era — has long been a staple of the movie industry. From sweeping epics like Gone With the Wind and Ben-Hur to literary adaptations like Pride and Prejudice and Atonement, films transporting audiences back through time have captivated viewers for decades. However, the oversaturation of period pieces in recent years has led to a lack of creativity and originality. Though a well-made period drama can be transportive and enlightening, the genre’s dominance threatens to smother innovation in film.

The 21st century has seen a boom in lavish, award-baiting period films. With their opulent costumes, pedigreed casts, and reverence for canonized source material, these movies scream “prestige.” It’s easy to see why a studio would green-light the umpteenth Jane Austen or Charles Dickens adaptation — they come pre-packaged with acclaim. Aside from the convenience of not having to pay for the rights in many of these cases or a…