What’s With All The Rich People On Islands In TV And Film Lately?

It seems as though I’m not the only one who has noticed this, but it appears that recently, almost every television program or streaming service I engage with features stories involving wealthy individuals engaging in questionable activities on some tropical locale.

These shows, such as “We Were Liars” from 2025, “Sirens” also from 2025, “The Perfect Couple” in 2024, and “The White Lotus” from 2021 to 2025, all follow a similar pattern or formula.

Honestly, I’m eating it up.

But I’ve seen this same luxury+secrets formula so many times now that I found myself thinking:

Are there any objects in the water? I can’t help but notice an increasing number of wealthy individuals facing difficulties on tropical islands. What is the significance or pattern behind this?

What These Shows Have in Common (Besides Overpriced Outfits)

To comprehend the reason behind this surge of such programs, let’s delve into their underlying themes instead, allowing us to identify broader societal patterns that may be influencing their creation.

The mentioned stories share a pretty consistent set of ingredients:

Power plays, often within families or romantic dynamics
Themes of class-difference, privilege, morality and the consequences of unchecked wealth
A charming older man with a vaguely coastal name (like “Conrad” or “Russell”) who seems like a harmless boat dad but turns out to be a silent puppetmaster of a crumbling empire
An overworked wife who keeps the entire family emotionally afloat while suppressing a decade’s worth of resentment.
And, of course, an outsider: a staff member or partner without the last name or the money, who rattles the gates of the elite compound just by existing and asking questions they shouldn’t have.

Why These Shows, and Why Now?

There’s no single answer, but a few threads are worth pulling.

Seasonal Escapism

Part of it comes down to timing. It’s summer.

If you’re among those who can’t spare money for a holiday, the allure of exotic islands and enigmatic settings could be an ideal way to embrace the seasonal spirit instead.

While you’re not physically present in a luxurious villa with palm trees, you are, nonetheless, observing someone shed tears in one. It’s a close experience, in a sense.

Post-2020 Tension

Over the past two years, there’s been a significant increase in concerns about the economy and dissatisfaction within the community. Common conversations revolve around issues like wealthy individuals keeping most of the resources, high housing prices, and the looming threat of climate catastrophe, among other matters.

Certainly, such shows become more appealing when they challenge authority, as people are more open to discussing issues related to power dynamics during times of significant change. Topics like privilege and societal norms resonate strongly because they provide insights valuable for discussions on current events.

The Luxury Fixation

Not only is there a frustration with wealth, but there’s also a rising obsession with it.

As a gamer, I’m constantly bombarded by videos on TikTok showcasing designer goods and what they call “quiet luxury” – a term that seems to glorify an extravagant lifestyle for the elite. While these clips certainly fan the flames of desire, they also reveal the not-so-glamorous aspects of owning it all.

In a world where politics become increasingly ominous, these series offer an escapist perspective, hinting at the potential consequences when authority remains unaccountable.

Perhaps I’m overthinking this, and they genuinely appreciate the scenic beauty, but it could also be the case that there’s more going on than meets the eye.

Final Thought From Me, Your Local TV Overthinker

This particular genre has an odd sense of familiarity, despite its underlying themes of violence and emotional turmoil.

One thing I appreciate about those series is their intricate perspectives. They skillfully provide believable motivations and character depth, resulting in characters that seem genuine and multidimensional.

Stepping into the role of a seer for a moment: It seems to me that series delving into elite downfalls are set to persist and evolve throughout this year, appearing in various shapes and forms.

If you’re as fascinated by these characters as I am, I wrote more about one from Sirens here.

2025-07-15 00:10