Many moviegoers have expressed the feeling that films just aren’t the same anymore. Now, a former Amazon executive is speaking out, explaining what changed in Hollywood, when it happened, and why. In a New York Times op-ed, Roy Price lays out his argument—a perspective that may strongly resonate with audiences.
Yet Price also sees a glimmer of hope, inspired in large part by the success and reception of Project Hail Mary.
Cultural Shift in Hollywood
Price spearheaded the launch of Amazon Video and Amazon Studios, serving as head of the division for three years. In 2017, he was forced to leave the company following “Me‑Too” allegations, though he was never legally charged. Since his departure, Amazon has grown into a major Hollywood player, with its latest success, Project Hail Mary, receiving widespread praise from both critics and audiences.
Rocky in Project Hail Mary – Amazon MGM Studios
Some industry insiders are likely trying to understand why the Ryan Gosling film became such a widespread hit. In his op-ed, Price offers one possible explanation in an essay is titled, “Project Hail Mary Is Fun. Maybe That’s All It Takes.” He contrasts this film’s broad appeal with Hollywood’s recent emphasis on political and social messaging, tracing the shift to 2016.
“But the most recent era, which started in the wake of Donald Trump’s election in 2016 and went into overdrive after 2020, was one in which political and social messaging were what seemed to matter most in Hollywood,” he writes.
He may have simply spoken the quiet truth out loud—and he’s just getting started. In the next section, Price lays out in detail where he believes the industry lost its way.
Correction Over Creativity
“Dionysian elements of popular entertainment — irreverence, sexual frankness and broad, even scatological humor — were cast aside as the industry sought to correct historic wrongs and resist current ones. An unmistakable censoriousness and fear of saying or doing the wrong thing seemed to settle over the creative process,” Price writes.
Leonardo DiCaprio holds his ears in the trailer to One Battle After Another – YouTube, Warner Bros. UK & Ireland
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He follows this line of reasoning to a clear conclusion: avoiding contemporary wrongs has produced overly cautious and restrained storytelling in Hollywood. “Cultural and political considerations played an outsize role—not only in what movies got made, but in how success for these movies was defined. What didn’t seem to matter as much? Making sure that audiences were filling seats.”
Price argues that prioritizing correction over creativity has driven audiences away from theaters. Raunchy comedies and steamy thrillers may not tackle social issues. Yet many once served as cultural touchstones that united viewers. Stories that are creatively and culturally safe often fail to captivate audiences. This doesn’t mean films must be R-rated to entertain. The broader point is that entertaining used to be the priority—and now, according to Price, it often is not.
This tension between caution and creativity sets the stage for broader industry reflection.
Who Will Hear the Message?
While Price is no longer active at Amazon, his industry perspective still carries considerable weight in Hollywood. Moreover, he may not be alone in holding these opinions.
Ryan Gosling in Project Hail Mary – Amazon MGM Studios
At a recent screening of Project Hail Mary, star Ryan Gosling stated that it’s Hollywood’s job to make movies worth seeing—not the audience’s responsibility to keep theaters alive. Taken together, Price and Gosling highlight a broader conversation about Hollywood’s priorities. Whether Project Hail Mary sparks a genuine shift—or remains a one-time reminder—the conversation about Hollywood’s priorities has only just begun.
Do have any hope that Hollywood will prioritize making entertaining movies? Let us know in the comments!
Hollywood is that little piece of turd stuck in the toilet bowl that flushing can’t wash away, so you have to break out the toilet brush.
God i love the word Turd, It’s just so descriptive in a non-offensive way, it’s brilliant.. And your analogy is spot on :-D
Ha ha ha, thanks!
They were never worried about offending me with woke nonsense.
Neither were they ever worried about offending Christians. Offending republicans, conservatives, white people, straight people or men also always seemed ok to them.
The problem wasn’t that Hollywood was afraid to offend people, the problem was that Hollywood is pagan and they’ve made cultural marxism their god. This leads to super twisted morals, that deviate from God’s morals. And in a society where people grew up with Christian ethics, these foreign morals are repulsive to most people.
The hypocrisy. What does Amazon do to White IPs: destroys them, and in the most uncreative way, possible. It’s not even evil being interesting, like Sauron and Saruman.
“The industry is dying from these gunshot wounds!” says one of the guys holding the gun. Glad he’s caught up to what normal people have been saying for years and years.