Enemies to Lovers: The Influence of Fanfiction on Mainstream Media
Image Courtesy: Vogue
Picture this: it’s 2013, One Direction just released Midnight Memories, and you get notified that your favorite fanfiction just updated on Wattpad. Now it’s 2024, and with a simple Google search, you can watch that same fanfiction as a movie. Fake dating, angst, forbidden love, or the classic “there’s only one bed” tropes have become popularized within modern media; they’re present in almost every film or show we watch, so, where did these begin?
Fanfiction, by definition, is writing created by fans of existing celebrities, shows, movies, or books that place the characters in alternate universes, typically in some form of romantic plot. These stories are posted on the internet for other fans to enjoy at no cost. Due to the accessibility of these stories and the fandoms they belong to, they’re bound to be popular, but their influence extends far beyond niche internet corners. The fanfiction-to-book-to-movie pipeline has existed for a while now, and it’s a fascinating way to explore how subcultures can reshape popular culture.
To truly understand how fanfiction tropes have slowly become part of mainstream media, it’s important to recognize the aspects of film that fanfiction has popularized. Take enemies-to-lovers, for example, the quintessential fanfic trope beloved by all. It has it all; tension between two people with conflicting personalities, playful banter, arguments turned compliments, and the journey of a flawed character into someone the reader roots for. This mix of drama, emotional stakes, and eventual resolution is universally appealing, so much so that it has become a five-part movie series.
Image Courtesy: Teen Vogue
After (2019) by author Anna Todd follows the main character, Tessa Young (Josephine Langford), and her romantic relationship with college bad-boy Hardin Scott (Hero Fiennes-Tiffin). Originally a Harry Styles fanfiction, this enemies-to-lovers story is the prime example of how fan-driven content can cross over into mainstream success. Despite the criticism of these movies, they generated an income of nearly 142 million dollars, skyrocketing not only Anna Todd’s career but Josephine Langford’s and Hero Fiennes-Tiffin’s. More recently, the Prime Video movie The Idea of You (2024) was, you guessed it, also a Harry Styles fanfiction turned movie. Starring A-list celebrities like Anne Hathaway, this rom-com drama became Amazon’s number-one romantic comedy.
So, what is it about fanfiction that makes it so appealing to larger audiences? Fanfiction creates a perfect blend of tension and humor, leading to heartwarming and satisfying resolutions. Everyone wants to see their favorite characters fall in love and find their happily ever after, and it’s way more enjoyable if they had to suffer just a little to get it. These stories resonate with audiences by exploring themes of passion, sacrifice, and defiance.
Image Courtesy: Decider
The trajectory of fanfiction from niche internet spaces to mainstream media highlights a significant shift in the entertainment industry. The lines between fan content and industry professionals are starting to blur, with fans even influencing the outcomes of TV shows through the popularity of the relationships they write about. This evolving dynamic suggests a future where fanfiction not only influences mainstream media but also becomes a more integral part of the creative process.
It’s a well-known fact that people (myself included) like to live vicariously through content. By making these tropes an integral part of stories, whether they’re heartfelt romances, dramatic conflicts, or whimsical adventures, young audiences are more likely to enjoy the content they consume. Modern media needs to cater to the general public’s likes, so if people want fanfiction, that’s what we should get.
Strike Out,
Writer: Daniela Mendoza
Editor: Grace Groover
Graphic Designer: Emma Muersch
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