Following the recent release of ‘Wicked,’ the discourse around colour grading in cinema has become more prevalent than ever. Today’s films and TV shows frequently lack the rich vibrancy that once defined Hollywood’s Golden Age in the 20th century. As more productions adopt uniform colour grading techniques, we drift further from the beloved Technicolor aesthetics found in films like ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939), ‘Heaven Can Wait’ (1943), and ‘Vertigo’ (1958). The impact of this shift is undeniable, with many audiences questioning whether today’s muted palettes enhance storytelling or simply dull the visual experience. Below, we explore five movies and TV shows that illustrate this ongoing debate.
- Wicked
Upon the release of the film adaptation of the Broadway musical ‘Wicked,’ fans anticipated a vibrant world reminiscent of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Yet, from Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers to the striking yellow brick road, the film ultimately fell short of expectations. Lacking the visual richness audiences were hoping for, the adaptation delivered an underwhelming aesthetic characterised by poor colour grading.
One person took it upon themselves to re-grade scenes from the trailer, pointing out how much colour had been stripped away. Their tweaks uncovered “a vibrant and beautiful film hidden under all that sludge,” proving that ‘Wicked’ had the potential to be visually stunning.
- The Little Mermaid
Disney’s live-action remake of ‘The Little Mermaid’ faced widespread backlash for its overly dark and murky visuals, with many criticising the lack of colours that defined the animated classic. While filmmakers often lean into photorealism to enhance the live-action aspect of an adaptation, viewers have increasingly pushed back against this trend.
Given that the film is set in an underwater fantasy world, many felt there was ample opportunity for more imaginative and vivid visuals, rather than the washed-out aesthetic that ultimately dominated the screen. Posting on X, one fan wrote: “Really hyped for these movies but they look so gloomy.”
same goes for the little mermaid… like honestly really hyped for these movies but they look so gloomy
— icero (@raijiro_) March 15, 2023#TheLittleMermaid pic.twitter.com/XMt0kSS2i6
- The Eternals
As part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), ‘The Eternals’ received a wave of negative reviews—further fuelling long-standing complaints about the visual and stylistic choices in recent Marvel movies. While director Chloé Zhao had an impressive track record with critically acclaimed films like ‘The Rider’ and the Oscar-winning ‘Nomadland,’ her approach to ‘The Eternals’ left the film feeling visually dull.
Marvel enthusiasts quickly took to social media to express their disappointment. The Independent highlighted one viewer’s reaction: “Just watched the trailer for The Eternals and I’m going to start begging Marvel to be braver with their colour grading, what a distressingly grey movie.” It was yet another entry in the MCU that left audiences longing for the bold and dynamic cinematography that once defined the franchise.
- Game of Thrones
Adapted from George R.R. Martin’s fantasy novels, ‘Game of Thrones’ became one of the most popular TV shows in history. With its rich narrative and striking cinematography, the series set a new standard for television. However, as the show approached its highly anticipated final season, fans were left disappointed.
While earlier seasons expertly balanced dark aesthetics with moments of colour, the eighth season took a drastic turn. The show’s desaturation reached its peak in the infamous ‘Battle of Winterfell’ episode, where viewers struggled to see what was happening on screen. One fan took to X, posting: “Whoa #BattleOfWinterfell looks INTENSE,” alongside a completely black image. This was just one of many tweets voicing frustration over how a once visually stunning show ended on such an uninspiring note.
- Ozark
Netflix’s hit show ‘Ozark’ is one of the most well-known examples of extreme desaturation in television. Its signature blue-grey colour palette was a deliberate stylistic choice by the producers, designed to heighten the show’s tense atmosphere. While this muted aesthetic effectively established the narrative’s dark themes, it also earned criticism for its lack of visual variety.Unlike other crime dramas that use occasional splashes of colour to enhance visual storytelling, ‘Ozark’ rarely strayed from its cold, washed-out aesthetic. This consistent lack of warmth left some viewers feeling overwhelmed—a sentiment explored in a Reddit thread where many argued how the show would be great without its blue tint.
