Work

‘I am in Great Pain, Please Help Me’: Nihilism, Humour, and Rick and Morty

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: One of Cartoon Network’s most successful shows ever, Rick and Morty (2013–present) has established a cult following for its blend of dark humour and existential themes. However, the show is more than just a representation of popular nihilism; through its sustained engagement with nihilistic themes, it also demonstrates how nihilism can be embraced, exhausted, and potentially eventually surpassed in a popular context. Drawing on Richard Hoggart’s model of “social hermeneutics,” this article analyses key episodes as a means to think through the broader trajectory of nihilism as an influential element of twenty-first century popular culture.

Source: Critical Studies in Television The International Journal of Television Studies

DOI: 10.1177/17496020241301585

Authors: Nicholas Holm, Jennalee Donian

Institutions: Massey University, Nelson Mandela University

Language: English

Topic: Humor Studies and Applications

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450

Funder: National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences