A new study by UCLA's Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) suggests Hollywood could better engage young audiences by portraying religion and spirituality in more realistic, nuanced ways rather than relying on stereotypes. Researchers surveyed over 2,000 people aged 14 to 24 and found many were sensitive to how their beliefs were depicted on screen, wanting stories that grapple honestly with faith rather than offering "performative" or glossy portrayals. Study author Yalda T. Uhls, a UCLA psychology professor and former studio executive, says the findings point to a significant commercial opportunity, with executives from Netflix, Amazon, NBC and Lionsgate reportedly exploring the space.

Respondents cited films and series they felt handled faith well, including "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery", "Over the Moon", "Bend It Like Beckham", "Mo", "The Good Place", "Ms. Marvel" and "Avatar: The Last Airbender". Uhls also highlighted Netflix's "Unorthodox", about a woman leaving an Orthodox Jewish community, as impactful despite backlash from some religious viewers, arguing that authenticity matters more than reverence. The findings were presented at CSS's Future of Faith event on 5 August, where Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, known for "Milk" and "Under the Banner of Heaven", spoke about drawing on his own experience leaving the Mormon faith to inform more truthful storytelling.