Existentialism explores questions about meaning, choice, and human existence. It has shaped philosophy, literature, and film. Pop culture often reflects its core ideas, showing characters who struggle with freedom, isolation, and identity. Movies, TV shows, and books present existential themes in ways that resonate with audiences.
They ask tough questions about purpose, morality, and the absurdity of life. Some stories focus on rebellion against authority, while others highlight the anxiety of making choices. This article examines how existentialism appears in pop culture, exploring key themes and notable examples that challenge our understanding of existence.
Existential Themes in Pop Culture
Existentialism is a philosophy that grapples with human freedom, choice, and the search for meaning in an indifferent universe. Many works in pop culture reflect these concerns, presenting characters who struggle with identity, purpose, and the absurdity of life. These themes appear in films, TV shows, and literature, resonating with audiences who question their place in the world.
Below are ten key existential themes that frequently appear in pop culture. Each explores fundamental aspects of human existence, challenging characters and viewers alike to confront difficult truths about life and meaning.
#1. The Search for Meaning
One of existentialism’s most defining questions is whether life has inherent meaning or if individuals must create their own. Many films and shows explore characters who struggle to find purpose in an indifferent or chaotic world. This struggle is central to movies like The Truman Show, where Truman gradually realizes his entire life is a staged illusion. His journey reflects existentialist themes of self-discovery and the search for authentic meaning.
This theme also appears in literature and philosophy, from Albert Camus’ The Myth of Sisyphus to Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. Pop culture often presents this search through personal crises, forcing characters to either embrace meaninglessness or construct their own purpose. In an era of uncertainty, this theme remains deeply relevant.
#2. Freedom and Choice
Existentialist philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre argued that humans are condemned to be free. With no predetermined essence, individuals must define themselves through their choices. This idea appears in movies like The Matrix, where Neo must choose between ignorance and an unsettling truth. His decision mirrors Sartre’s belief in radical freedom—every choice defines one’s existence.
Freedom can be overwhelming, leading to anxiety and indecision. Many existential narratives highlight the burden of choice and the fear of making the wrong decision. Pop culture often portrays characters paralyzed by this responsibility, struggling to take control of their own lives.
#3. Alienation and Isolation
Existentialist thought frequently explores feelings of isolation. In a world without inherent meaning, individuals often feel disconnected from society, others, or even themselves. BoJack Horseman captures this alienation as the protagonist struggles with self-loathing and the inability to connect with others despite fame and success.
Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis also illustrates extreme alienation. The protagonist, Gregor Samsa, transforms into an insect and is gradually abandoned by his family. Many modern works echo this theme, depicting characters who feel like outsiders, unable to bridge the gap between themselves and the world.
#4. The Absurd
The absurd is a key concept in existentialism, particularly in the works of Camus. It describes the conflict between humans’ desire for meaning and the universe’s apparent meaninglessness. This is vividly portrayed in Rick and Morty, where nihilism is a recurring theme. The characters frequently acknowledge the absurdity of existence but react with humor or indifference.
Absurdity also appears in Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot. The characters wait endlessly for someone who never arrives, highlighting the futility of their actions. Many existentialist works use absurd situations to emphasize life’s unpredictability and lack of inherent structure.
#5. Authenticity vs. Inauthenticity
Existentialism stresses the importance of living authentically—making choices based on personal beliefs rather than societal expectations. Fight Club critiques inauthenticity by showing a protagonist trapped in consumer culture, living a life dictated by materialism. He only begins to feel alive after rejecting societal norms.
Sartre argued that many people live in “bad faith,” conforming to social roles instead of embracing their true selves. Many pop culture narratives reflect this struggle, portraying characters who break free from imposed identities to seek genuine self-expression.
#6. Existential Angst and Anxiety
Anxiety is a core theme in existentialist philosophy. The awareness of freedom, mortality, and uncertainty often leads to existential dread. In American Beauty, Lester Burnham experiences a midlife crisis, realizing the emptiness of his suburban life. His existential angst drives him to redefine his existence, though not without consequences.
This anxiety also appears in pop culture through introspective characters who struggle with the weight of existence. The overwhelming freedom to choose one’s path often creates inner turmoil, as seen in countless films and shows where characters grapple with their own insignificance.
#7. Death and Mortality
Existentialism confronts the inevitability of death. Martin Heidegger believed that accepting mortality is key to living authentically. Films like The Seventh Seal directly explore this idea, as a knight plays chess with Death, seeking answers about the afterlife.
In Six Feet Under, a show centered on a funeral home, death is a constant presence. The characters’ personal struggles often tie into existential reflections on mortality. Pop culture frequently uses death as a way to force characters into deep existential contemplation.
#8. Existential Crisis
An existential crisis occurs when someone questions the fundamental nature of their existence. This theme appears in The Truman Show, as Truman slowly realizes his entire life has been controlled. The moment he questions his reality marks his existential awakening.
Many pop culture stories depict characters who face moments of deep existential doubt, whether due to sudden revelations, personal failures, or exposure to harsh truths. This crisis often leads to transformation, reinforcing the idea that questioning existence is a fundamental part of growth.
#9. Self-Discovery and Identity
Many existentialist narratives revolve around self-discovery. Without an inherent purpose, individuals must construct their own identities. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind explores this theme through memory and love, showing how past experiences shape personal identity.
This theme also appears in coming-of-age stories, where characters struggle to define themselves. The search for identity is a central part of existentialist philosophy and continues to be a powerful narrative device in pop culture.
#10. Rebellion Against Authority
Existentialist thinkers often criticized oppressive systems. Many existentialist characters reject authority, choosing personal freedom over social conformity. V for Vendetta and Fight Club both depict individuals rebelling against systems that control or manipulate people.
Camus’ The Rebel argues that rebellion is a necessary response to an absurd world. Pop culture often presents rebellion as an existential act, where characters reclaim their autonomy by challenging oppressive structures. This theme continues to resonate, especially in stories that critique modern society.
Examples of Existentialism in Pop Culture
Existential themes have influenced some of the most iconic films, TV shows, and literary works. These stories explore questions about freedom, identity, meaning, and the absurdity of life. Through their characters and narratives, they challenge audiences to reflect on their own existence. Below are ten significant examples that showcase existentialist ideas in pop culture.
#1. The Matrix
The Matrix (1999) is a classic example of existentialist storytelling. Neo, the protagonist, lives in a simulated reality controlled by machines. When he discovers the truth, he faces a crucial choice: remain in the comfortable illusion or embrace the harsh reality. This mirrors Jean-Paul Sartre’s idea that individuals must define their own existence rather than passively accept imposed realities.
The film also explores the burden of freedom. Once Neo awakens, he must take responsibility for his choices, embodying Sartre’s belief that “existence precedes essence.” The film’s themes resonate deeply with existentialist philosophy, making it a landmark in existential pop culture.
#2. Fight Club
David Fincher’s Fight Club (1999) critiques modern consumerism and the struggle for authentic identity. The protagonist, an unnamed narrator, is trapped in a meaningless corporate life. He finds escape through an underground fight club led by the charismatic but dangerous Tyler Durden. The film highlights existentialist ideas of inauthenticity, self-definition, and rebellion against societal expectations.
The narrator’s journey represents an existential crisis. He realizes that his life has been dictated by consumer culture, leading him to seek meaning through destruction and self-reinvention. However, the film also warns about the dangers of blind rebellion, showing the complexity of existential freedom.
#3. The Truman Show
In The Truman Show (1998), Truman Burbank unknowingly lives in a fabricated world where his life is broadcast as a TV show. His slow realization of the deception mirrors existentialist awakenings, where individuals begin to question the nature of their reality. This is similar to Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, where a prisoner discovers that his perceived world is an illusion.
Truman’s decision to leave the artificial world represents a key existentialist idea: the necessity of personal freedom. By stepping into the unknown, he takes control of his existence, proving that meaning must be created, not given. His journey is a powerful metaphor for existential self-liberation.
#4. BoJack Horseman
Netflix’s BoJack Horseman (2014–2020) is a dark comedy that explores existential themes through the life of a washed-up actor. BoJack struggles with identity, purpose, and self-destruction, mirroring the existentialist idea of alienation. He constantly seeks happiness but finds that fame and success fail to provide meaning.
The show also delves into existential angst. BoJack’s inability to change, despite his awareness of his flaws, reflects the struggle of personal responsibility. Sartre’s idea of “bad faith” is evident in his character—he often blames his circumstances instead of embracing true change. This makes BoJack Horseman one of the most profound existential narratives in modern television.
#5. Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty (2013–present) is a sci-fi comedy that frequently explores existential nihilism. Rick Sanchez, a brilliant but cynical scientist, constantly reminds those around him that life is meaningless. His worldview aligns with Albert Camus’ absurdism—the recognition that the universe lacks inherent meaning but that individuals must still find ways to live.
Despite its humor, the show raises serious existential questions. It challenges the idea of objective morality and questions whether free will truly exists. By embracing absurdity, Rick and Morty turns existential despair into a comedic yet thought-provoking narrative.
#6. American Beauty
Sam Mendes’ American Beauty (1999) follows Lester Burnham, a middle-aged man experiencing a deep existential crisis. He realizes that his life has been defined by social expectations rather than personal fulfillment. His journey to reclaim his freedom reflects existentialist themes of authenticity and self-determination.
The film critiques societal values, showing how materialism and superficial success fail to provide real meaning. Lester’s final realization—that beauty exists in fleeting moments—aligns with existentialist ideas about embracing life’s impermanence. His story serves as a powerful reflection on existential awakening and the search for meaning.
#7. Waiting for Godot
Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot (1953) is one of the most famous absurdist plays. Two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, wait endlessly for someone named Godot, who never arrives. Their repetitive conversations and meaningless actions illustrate Camus’ concept of the absurd—the tension between humans’ desire for meaning and the universe’s indifference.
The play refuses to provide clear answers, reinforcing the idea that meaning is not given but must be created. Its influence on existential thought remains significant, as it challenges audiences to confront the uncertainty and absurdity of life.
#8. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
This 2004 film explores memory, identity, and self-discovery. After a painful breakup, Joel and Clementine undergo a procedure to erase their memories of each other. However, as Joel’s memories fade, he realizes their experiences, both good and bad, are essential to his identity.
The film aligns with existentialist ideas about self-definition. It suggests that pain and suffering are inevitable parts of life but are crucial for personal growth. Like Sartre’s notion that we are defined by our choices, Eternal Sunshine argues that our past shapes who we become, making it an existential masterpiece.
#9. The Seventh Seal
Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal (1957) is a deeply existential film about death and the search for meaning. A knight returning from the Crusades encounters Death and challenges him to a game of chess, hoping to delay his fate. Throughout the film, the knight seeks answers about God and existence but receives none.
The film embodies existentialist themes of mortality and the absurd. The knight’s quest reflects humanity’s struggle with the unknown, yet the film suggests that meaning must be found in small human connections rather than cosmic truths. It remains one of the most profound explorations of existential thought in cinema.
#10. Six Feet Under
HBO’s Six Feet Under (2001–2005) revolves around a family running a funeral home, making death a constant presence in their lives. The show examines existential themes such as mortality, personal freedom, and the struggle for authenticity. Each episode begins with a death, forcing characters to confront their own impermanence.
The show’s central message is deeply existentialist: life is fragile, but that fragility makes it meaningful. The characters’ personal journeys emphasize the importance of living authentically in the face of mortality, echoing Heidegger’s belief that awareness of death leads to a more meaningful existence.
These examples demonstrate how existentialism has shaped some of the most compelling stories in pop culture. Through film, television, and literature, these works challenge audiences to confront deep philosophical questions about life, freedom, and identity.
Closing Thoughts
Existentialism has left a lasting impact on pop culture, shaping narratives that challenge audiences to think about life, meaning, and personal freedom. Whether through films, television, or literature, these stories force characters—and viewers—to confront difficult questions about existence. They explore the struggles of self-discovery, the absurdity of life, and the burden of making choices in an indifferent universe.
These examples remind us that existentialism is not just a philosophical concept but a lived experience. They encourage us to embrace freedom, face uncertainty, and take responsibility for our own existence. In the end, meaning is not given—it is created.