The LONeLIENESS EPIDEMIC

Being a young man myself, I have been noticing an alarming new trend over the years, a trend that has been affecting those closest to me. When you start writing a film, you often have a few ideas to get going, but the real theme often emerges as you write the piece. 

This trend is an overwhelming feeling of loneliness and isolation for young men in Generation Z. A rapidly changing cultural environment, driven by modern technology and economic issues. 

These issues doesn't just apply to one type of man. Across every demographic, income, race, education, men from all backgrounds are feeling depressed and lost in life. We have the character of Luke already cast, as he is a perfect embodiment of someone facing issues in our generation. We want to cast his best friend, Malachi, as a person of color, along with many other characters in the film,  to represent how these issues are felt across the board. Wilmington is also a very culturally diverse place, and we want to represent that as well. 

•  Young men are increasingly opting out of relationships and marriage. A Pew Research study revealed that 63% of men aged 18–29 are single, compared to 34% of young women. 
•  Over 60% of young men report feeling lonely on a regular basis, a phenomenon exacerbated by social media, gaming, and fewer in-person interactions. 
•   Homeownership rates for young men (ages 25–34) have significantly declined. In 2022, only about 33% of young men owned homes, compared to nearly 55% in 1980, largely due to rising housing costs and stagnant wages. 
•  Men account for approximately 80% of all suicides in the U.S., with suicide being a leading cause of death among men aged 15–24. Young men are particularly at risk. 

These alarming trends leave lonely, young men vulnerable to power hungry, ill-intentioned voices, who push these men in an even worse direction. This is what the core of our film is about. Young men are being given a massive void, and villains are filling this void. 

Throughout the course of our film, Luke experiences economic and mental health issues, and meets Drake Skarr, who he believes can solve all of these problems. And he does - temporarily. Luke is ultimately led down a path of darkness and learns the ultimate lesson to be aware of False Prophets.