7 Mistakes When Blending Genres

Everyone wants to be the next Ari Aster in this day and age–seamlessly combining genres from across the board. Whether it’s the COVID dark comedy horror satire in Eddington or the surreal landscape in Beau is Afraid, who does it better? Nevertheless, that’s not to say genre blending is a good thing, since there are plenty of points to recognize within the context. Just look at Cowboys & Aliens, a film that tried to merge Western grit with sci-fi spectacle and ended up pleasing neither camp.

When you’re starting, don’t worry too much about blending genres and the various mishaps. Focus on developing your craft and fixate on what you write best. Once you’ve broken in, many reps prefer you to stay in a particular genre since it makes it easier to land jobs.

For example, if execs and producers see you as “the Horror writer,” you’ll be on their radar every time a horror flick comes up. With a broader range, you’re less likely to be the first person they think of for a specific type of project. That doesn’t mean you can’t sell specs or land assignments–it just means you may lose a bit of that immediate edge.

As a result, let’s discuss some mistakes to avoid when blending genres!

Still from 'Cowboys and Aliens' (2011). Photo credit: Amblin

1. Force A Genre

Unless you’re getting hired to write something in a specific tone or setting, don’t force a genre when it’s a creative singular work. Though it’s beneficial to write different genres in a writing exercise sense, it’s never useful when discussing the larger scope.

Always write the idea that makes your heart race, the one that keeps knocking at your brain for months or even years, no matter the genre.

For example, if you read an article about skateboarding and are fascinated with it, then go with it. You can turn whatever you're interested in into the backdrop for a noir thriller, and that script could land on a list.

That said, specializing isn’t a bad idea. But in my experience, the writers I admire most didn’t consciously pick their lane–they simply discovered, over time, what they were naturally great at.

Experiment freely. Try other genres. And don’t hesitate to abandon a project if it doesn’t ignite your passion.

Read everything. Every genre, every medium. Films, scripts, novels, video games, tabletop rulebooks, etc. The more you take in, the richer your writing becomes. A writer who works in one genre but reads across all genres will always be a stronger writer for it.

2. Ignore Your Writing

Often, writers get wrapped up in the more profound meaning or what they’re trying to say in their film rather than focusing on what matters: the story. Many argue your writing shouldn’t read like a book with a script, and while that’s partially true, you shouldn’t ignore the foundation that matters most.

I’ve often heard the phrase “write, don’t direct.” Actors bring their own instincts and personality to a script, so it’s usually best to let the words speak to them and see how that translates. From there, the director shapes it further.

But here’s where I get tripped up: I’ve been told more than once not to write things that can’t be seen. For example:

Ethan looks sad.

That’s vague, right? How do you actually show surprise on screen? A blank stare, hands on the head, mouth hanging open–there are dozens of ways it could play out. So if I add those details, am I now directing the actor instead of writing? Regardless, the focus should be on how you can accomplish that and not how you combine within your genre. Write what comes naturally.

3. Forget About Your Primary Genre

Every script has a primary genre: aka your selling point. If you want your work to be commercially viable, it needs to be easy to market. That’s where genre comes in. Sure, there are vague umbrella terms like “adventure” or “odd,” but the truth is, no matter how much people claim they want something different, they usually go looking in the same familiar boxes.

If your project doesn’t appear to fit neatly into one of those boxes, it’s more likely to get passed over. By all means, cross genre lines with reckless abandon. Just be aware that the more obscure or complex your project is to categorize, the harder it will be to sell. Your mileage may vary, and I’m no guru. Thus, you need to have a primary genre in mind. You can absolutely write a story that blends ten different genres; if you can pull it off, go for it. But when you pitch it to an agent or publisher, don’t say, “It’s a mix of steampunk, mystery, romance, horror, and more.” Instead, frame it in terms of just one or two core genres, the most relevant ones.

The key is clarity and marketability. Agents and publishers want something that feels both mainstream and fresh. So when you present your book, make sure that’s what comes across.

4. Develop an Audience Disconnect

Audiences need to understand your story tonally, and when it’s too over the place, they may feel a disconnect. The key is making sure the audience never feels misled. If you can manage that, then go full steam ahead.

That said, any genre-bending film will inevitably be misunderstood by some viewers. For example, before Parasite was widely seen, many assumed it was a horror-drama based on early descriptions of its unsettling moments. In reality, it’s more of a comedy-drama with thriller elements and a touch of horror.

5. Confusing Your Story

When blending genres, think balance. A horror-comedy, for instance, should weave humor and scares throughout. Don’t spend fifty minutes as pure comedy and then abruptly flip to horror, unless, like From Dusk Till Dawn, you can pull it off with such boldness that it becomes part of the film’s charm. You don’t want your story to confuse the audience in such a burdensome way.

So just write the story in the way that feels most natural to you. You’ll get notes from others, and if they’re confused, it usually isn’t the shifts in tone or genre that are the real issue.

6. Ignore Your Characters

Your characters make your story! Don’t develop caricatures for the sake of blending your horror fantasy comedy. If you’re tackling so many themes and genres at once, focus on how they blend and on what your characters’ intentions and actions need to be to get there–rather than starting at the ending and working backward. That way, the story will feel more cohesive and less like a handful of different ideas crammed together.

7. Writing Strictly With “Vibes”

Many writers believe they can be a vibe guy, like Harmony Korine presented himself on the scene as a young buck years ago. Realize you’re probably not going to reinvent the wheel and instead should do your best to blend genres in a way that makes sense.