3 Recent Films Prove That Pop Culture Is the New Scriptwriter

Movies have always been a mirror of society, but in the last few years, that mirror has become more of a TikTok filter. They’ve gotten great at distorting, amplifying, and remixing real-time cultural trends. 

No longer are films just reflections of history or timeless tales. They’re now directly inspired by what’s trending online, what’s being memed, and what Gen Z is obsessing over. So, whether it’s viral games, influencer culture, or the chaos of modern internet discourse, Hollywood is clearly listening and reacting faster than ever before.

In this article, let’s look at three films that are clearly inspired by the current times.

1. Five Nights at Freddy’s

The success of Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023) proves that internet fandom can now dictate what gets greenlit and how it gets made. The film debuted to $78 million domestic and $130 million global box office in its opening weekend, becoming 2023’s top horror opening and Blumhouse’s biggest ever creation.

Originally a popular indie horror game, FNaF wasn’t just a spooky hit—it was a full-on cultural movement online. From deep YouTube lore breakdowns to fan-made jump-scare edits, the FNaF universe was essentially co-written by its fanbase. So when the film adaptation hit theaters, it didn’t have to win an audience—it already had one.

The movie plays like a love letter to fans who spent years obsessing over hidden clues and timelines. It’s packed with Easter eggs that only longtime players would catch, and the tone matches the exact brand of creepy-meets-campy humor that made the game go viral in the first place. It wasn’t just a horror movie—it was a cultural feedback loop made cinematic.

Director Emma Tammi and game creator Scott Cawthon notably prioritized the gaming community’s feedback. Producer Jason Blum added that internal critics initially doubted the project, but “Everyone said we could never get the movie done…that always lights a fire under me.”

In many ways, FNaF wasn’t created in a Hollywood boardroom; it was shaped by thousands of internet voices over nearly a decade. The studio merely pressed “record.” This film is a perfect example of how online engagement now helps shape narrative structure, character arcs, and even tone long before a single scene is shot.

2. Skillhouse

The Skillhouse horror movie is about influencer fame, and it’s as self-aware as it gets. The film centers around a content house where influencers compete for clout, but it quickly turns into a brutal satire of everything social media represents. Think algorithm obsession, performative personas, and the dangerous line between attention and addiction. 

While we only have the trailer to go by, it’s clear that Skillhouse doesn’t just use influencers as characters. It actually adopts the language of internet culture. So, we’re talking about quick cuts, reaction-video pacing, and, as Fathom Entertainment notes, real-life influencers like Hannah Stocking as part of the cast. 

It’s clear that this film seems to know its audience and the culture it’s being made in. We figure that Skillhouse will prove to the world that the influencer economy honestly makes for great cinematic material. 

Fun fact: the Director of this show is none other than Josh Stolberg, the brains behind many of the Saw movies. He is no stranger to gore and blood, which Skillhouse apparently has enough of to make one of their camera operators pass out. That sounds like great material for the horror fans out there, and we can’t wait for this one to come out as well. 

3. Saltburn

At first glance, Saltburn (2023) seems like a psychological thriller about obsession, wealth, and privilege. But dig deeper, and you’ll find that it thrives precisely because of how well it syncs with meme culture. This film was built to go viral—its aesthetic, its plot twists, and especially its shocking final sequence. Everything about Saltburn screams internet discourse bait.

According to Director Emerald Fennell, this project was all about class and privilege and the hunger to be seen. “I wanted to make something about a desire so intense, it destroys everything around it,” he told Filmmaker Magazine.

The movie taps into a trend that’s been gaining traction online: voyeuristic content about the ultra-rich. We’re talking “day in the life of a billionaire” TikToks, Reddit threads on family wealth, and think pieces on inherited privilege. Saltburn takes those conversations and turns them into cinematic paranoia. The result is less of a linear story and more of a meme-ready spectacle designed for reaction videos and hot takes.

The stylized direction, indulgent soundtrack, and dramatic symbolism all feel calibrated for maximum online shareability. Even the film’s moral ambiguity invites online interpretation rather than providing closure. 

In that sense, Saltburn is a cultural Rorschach test for internet audiences to project onto. It reflects how films now intentionally leave gaps for the viewer to fill in with their likes, shares, and commentary. That’s genuinely great filmmaking. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is pop culture in movies?

Pop culture in movies means pulling inspiration from what's trending. Content like viral memes, internet slang, influencers, or popular games. Instead of just telling timeless stories, these movies reflect what people are currently obsessed with online and in everyday conversations.

2. Is Five Nights at Freddy's really scary?

It depends on what freaks you out. It's more creepy than terrifying. So, lots of jump scares, eerie animatronics, and spooky vibes rather than constant gore. If you’ve played the game or watched horror YouTubers, you’ll probably enjoy the atmosphere more than be totally scared.

3. What is so special about Saltburn?

Saltburn stands out because it plays into internet culture. It’s dramatic, visually stunning, and full of weird twists that make people want to tweet about it or make TikTok videos. It’s the kind of movie that sparks conversation and memes, which makes it worth a watch. 

All things considered, it feels like the traditional gap between what’s happening online and what shows up on screen has narrowed and sometimes disappears entirely. The films in this list are just a few examples of art that manages to be so fluent in reality that you forget they’re fiction.