Line #6 Analysis/TooBleakStoppedCaring


1	Some possible causes of TooBleakStoppedCaring:
2	* Movies and TV shows with ShootTheShaggyDog, DiabolusExMachina and {{Everybody Dies Ending}}s can have this effect on cynical viewers, since it means that [[DespairEventHorizon all hope for the characters is lost]] when they were doomed to their fates.
3	* Somewhat related to the above point, works that overuse, misuse, or abuse the HopeSpot, YankTheDogsChain, and CruelTwistEnding tropes can sometimes also lead to bleakness. While these tropes can create interesting plot twists if used ''correctly'', they can also come across as cruelly taunting and teasing the characters and audience if not. If the audience feels like the author is just pulling another cruel BaitAndSwitch on them repeatedly, then they may lose interest or stop caring about what happens next. In other words, the audience feels like the ''author/creator'' is the one [[KickTheDog kicking the dogs]] or [[YankTheDogsChain yanking the chains]] by constantly putting characters through the wringer. Especially if it always ends up with a DownerEnding and/or gets too predictable. Or, if the author relies on too many [[AssPull ass pulls]] just for the sake of making the characters suffer. (Example: ''Film/{{Oculus}}'')
4	* Even shows where the heroes win a PyrrhicVictory can devolve into this, especially if the heroes are whiny, [[FailureHero ineffective or too slow to act]]. Sure, the villains get defeated in the end, but their deaths seem like a small compensation for all of the havoc and death ''they'' caused. And if the villains corrupted the heroes or turned them against their ideals during the course of the story, [[ShootTheShaggyDog the heroes' victory seems even MORE meaningless.]] This can also overlap with works that invoke VengeanceFeelsEmpty if the hero doesn't gain anything for avenging the victims and, since the victims are dead either way, things are ''still'' no better off than they were before. (Examples: ''Series/WarOfTheWorlds1988'' TV Series, ''[[VideoGame/ArmyMen Army Men: Sarge's War]]'')
5	* Works that use JokerImmunity and CardboardPrison heavily can often fall into this. This is especially the case if every time the villains come back from the dead/break out of jail they kill people. It can make it seem like the hero isn't really making a difference and that [[KarmaHoudini the villains will never truly be brought to justice]]. Bonus points if the story uses ThouShaltNotKill as an excuse to have the hero pass up a chance to remove the threat permanently, with no justification beyond moral absolutism. (Example: ''Franchise/{{Halloween}}'')
6	* Throwing in controversial scenes or topics such as rape (either for [[BlackComedyRape comedic]] or [[RapeAsDrama dramatic]] purposes), ColdBloodedTorture, discrimination (even on the [[FantasticRacism fictional races]]), [[FinalSolution genocide]], or any form of FateWorseThanDeath can also invoke this trope; particularly if the said scenes or topics were gratuitous, executed poorly, or cause a lot of Unfortunate Implications. (Examples: ''Film/MenBehindTheSun'', ''Film/CannibalHolocaust'', ''Film/ASerbianFilm'', ''WebVideo/ThePainter'')
7	* Abusing the HumansAreBastards[=/=]HumansAreTheRealMonsters trope can easily result in this. Aside from the tendency of being [[{{Anvilicious}} overbearing]], the end result is just another kind of EvilVersusEvil, and at that without any differentiation between them (since, well, all of those sides act as humans). Even variants with a few sympathetic characters can fall into the trap of making [[BeingGoodSucks their failure]] on [[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth account of being good]] a ForegoneConclusion. (Examples: ''Anime/ElfenLied'', the "Second Renaissance" segment in ''Anime/TheAnimatrix'', ''VideoGame/TheLastOfUsPartII'')
8	* In general, issues with bleakness were a common criticism with the NinetiesAntiHero craze back in MediaNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks. Many of these "[[DesignatedHero heroes]]" (particularly the ones from independent publishers) were so evil that it was hard, if not impossible, to care whether they would come out of their adventures alive. (Examples: ''ComicBook/TheBoys'', ''ComicBook/YoungbloodImageComics'')
9	* Games that provoke this reaction may still get their player base, mostly consisting of players that are perfectly happy to [[PlayTheGameSkipTheStory play the game and skip the story]]. For example, if the game requires the player to pick a faction to play as, they would simply choose sides with no interest other than the technical or aesthetic interest of playing one side or the other (or, such as in [=MMORPGs=], the interest in teaming with real-life friends). However, if this crosses into gameplay, then these games may fall into "ItsHardSoItSucks" reactions.
10	* If the work in question is a comedy, it can avoid this trope even if it has EvilVersusEvil; the viewer doesn't have to care too much for the characters to enjoy watching them, and can have a fun experience watching entertaining villains. Weirdly enough, this is a trope that is actually ''[[Administrivia/TropesAreTools encouraged]]'' in the horror genre, particularly in a CosmicHorrorStory. There's a common (though not ubiquitous) school of thought that says that despair is one of the critical components of a horror story. Therefore, giving the protagonists any hope of a happy ending will take away from the [[TrueArtIsAngsty essential bleakness]], and ruin the entire point of a horror story. That said, this tactic is a double-edged sword because giving up and not caring about the characters sucks a lot out of the fear factor and tension that the genre is based on. Dystopian fiction, particularly of the AfterTheEnd variety, is another genre that's quite vulnerable to this trope for largely the same reasons.
11	* A WorldOfJerkass and/or CrapsackWorld played to their straightest is a ''very'' easy way to get this response. If the story is filled with unlikeable, unsympathetic characters (even the supposed "[[DesignatedHero heroes]]") in a hopeless or cruel setting without [[BreatherEpisode some leeway]] or [[StatusQuoIsGod improvement over time]], expect the EightDeadlyWords to pop up among audience reactions. CastFullOfCrazy also counts, especially in DarkerAndEdgier works, or if said setting isn't PlayedForLaughs. (Examples: ''Literature/NineteenEightyFour'', ''Series/TheHandmaidsTale'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Metalocalypse}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Bloodstorm}}'', ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyBlackOpsIII'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Brickleberry}}'')
12	* BlackComedy, GallowsHumor, ComedicSociopathy, KafkaKomedy, VulgarHumor, or CringeComedy that is needlessly cruel, harsh, and mean-spirited to the point where the audience finds it SickAndWrong instead of funny. Or if the work is extremely tactless and makes a mockery of serious issues instead of taking those issues seriously (such as rape, suicide, and/or domestic abuse). ''Especially'' if the so-called "comedy" involves [[KickTheDog innocent victims being genuinely tormented, humiliated, or killed]] for the sake of a so-called "joke". A SadistShow is particularly vulnerable to this due to its very nature. Can sometimes overlap with ShockFatigue as well if it just gets more and more disgusting for no reason and the audience becomes apathetic to it. Also overlaps with WorldOfJerkass if ''all'' the characters in the black comedy are totally unlikeable, obnoxious, and irredeemable. (Examples: ''WesternAnimation/AllenGregory'', ''WesternAnimation/MrPickles'', ''WesternAnimation/RenAndStimpyAdultPartyCartoon'', ''WesternAnimation/FamilyDog'')
13	* Although it's rare, works (and video games [[CrueltyIsTheOnlyOption that force you]] [[ButThouMust to do]] [[{{railroading}} immoral things]]) with irredeemably evil {{Villain Protagonist}}s can also fall into this, especially when there's no positive CharacterDevelopment and the Villain Protagonist is much more overpowered than the HeroAntagonist. (Examples: ''VideoGame/{{Hatred}}'', ''VideoGame/EvilQuest'', ''Literature/AmericanPsycho'', ''Film/NaturalBornKillers'')
14	* Works with a [[CharactersDroppingLikeFlies high body count]] or an overly bleak AnyoneCanDie setting also fall into this, especially when lots of named [[SacrificialLion major]] and [[SacrificialLamb minor]] protagonists and [[AntiVillain redeemable villains]] are killed off for little to no reason and their souls/ghosts don't appear at all/no hopes for revival, like [[CessationOfExistence there's no (physical) afterlife in the setting]]. (Examples: ''Series/TheWalkingDead'', ''Film/{{Threads}}'')
15	* Works with {{Doomed Protagonist}}s can also fall into this, if there's no positive subversion of said trope.
16	* Works with {{genre deconstruction}}s, especially MagicalGirlGenreDeconstruction (except ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'') can also fall into this, especially when there are no positive outcomes. This trope can be averted/defied if [[EarnYourHappyEnding they end with more positive aspects than negative ones]] without triggering {{esoteric happy ending}}s. (Examples: ''Manga/MagicalGirlSite'', ''Literature/MagicalGirlRaisingProject'')
17	* If a video game has MultipleEndings and they are ''all {{downer\|Ending}}s'' or there are no truly {{happy ending}}s, expect this trope and AngstAversion from the players. (Example: ''VideoGame/DyingLight2'')
18	* Works with an InvincibleVillain as the BigBad can fall under this when the trope is played totally straight, as if the villain can never be defeated and ultimately wins, fans will blame the failure of the story fully on the villain. This also can be magnified if the Invincible Villain is a CompleteMonster or Villain Sue who constantly [[KickTheDog does extremely and unbearably horrible things]], [[TheBadGuyWins gets everything they want]], and then [[KarmaHoudini faces no comeuppance for their heinous actions]]. Also, there's even ''more'' bleakness if the Invincible Villain's actions end up creating [[CrapsackWorld an extremely nihilistic world and/or setting]] where there is no hope or justice and there is nothing but death, suffering, and misery. (Examples: Wrestling/TheAuthority stable and angle, ''Anime/ReCreators'', ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyGhosts'', ''Manga/ShamanKing'', ''Manga/MagicalRecordLyricalNanohaForce'', ''Manga/GunsmithCats BURST'', ''Film/ParanormalActivity'')
19	* In addition to bad guys never losing, sometimes the Too Bleak trope can be invoked by good guys who ''never win''. Basically, no matter what the hero (or the most sympathetic character) does, they [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption never accomplish anything and things never get better for them]]. This is especially true if the hero character is a FailureHero, StrawLoser, ButtMonkey, ChewToy, or CosmicPlaything who is ''constantly'' abused in particularly cruel ways by the WorldOfJerkass / CrapsackWorld they live in. This can also happen if TheWoobie is constantly tormented with no break or relief whatsoever. Also happens if the hero is [[IdiotHero constantly making boneheaded decisions]] that guarantee their failures. At the least, it can get tiresome for the audience to see a hero character never win and demoralizing at worst when the said character suffers dearly for their failures (especially if [[ForegoneConclusion the audience can see it coming every time]]). Furthermore, audiences won't get emotionally invested in heroic characters who never win regardless of how good, likeable, or sympathetic they are; because if they don't win then there is no point in doing so. (Examples: ''WesternAnimation/TomGoesToTheMayor'', ''VideoGame/HavenCallOfTheKing'', ''Film/FinalDestination'', ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'', ''WesternAnimation/SheepInTheBigCity'', ''WesternAnimation/HappyNewYearCharlieBrown'')
20	* Works that explore FantasticRacism while (intentionally or [[UnfortunateImplications unintentionally]]) giving people valid reasons to discriminate against certain groups often fall into this. If viewers have to choose between [[GenocideDilemma supporting genocide and supporting threats to society]], the only [[TakeAThirdOption other option]] is to support neither and switch off the TV. (Examples: ''Series/TrueBlood'', ''Literature/BloodAndChocolate'', ''Manga/TokyoGhoul'',)
21	* ValuesDissonance [[CondemnedByHistory can cause this]], even if it's [[DeliberateValuesDissonance deliberate]]. It's difficult to sympathise with protagonists who commit what we now view as atrocities, especially for readers and viewers who have experienced prejudice and hate crimes. This is why PoliticallyCorrectHistory is so common - writers of historical fiction often have to choose between breaking WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief or risking this trope. (Examples: ''Film/TheBirthOfANation1915'', ''Film/ThreeHundred'')

Context Analysis / TooBleakStoppedCaring