Summary of Key Points
"The Annual Meeting Must Go On! 2" has suffered disappointing box office results (earning just over 100 million yuan in 4 days, far from the expected 300 million, and significantly lower than the previous film's 1.2 billion). This is not merely a curse of being a sequel; it reveals the limitations of these films as short-term, emotional indulgence products. Such movies gain popularity by accurately capturing workplace tensions and providing a sense of relief, but they fail to address real issues, leading to audience fatigue and loss of market appeal. To survive, they need to shift from focusing on emotional release to delivering more in-depth narratives.
1. Box Office Decline: The Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility
Economics explains the concept of diminishing marginal utility—repeated exposure to the same thing reduces satisfaction. "The Annual Meeting Must Go On! 1" brought to light workplace issues like stress, unspoken rules, and anxiety for employees, with the ending where Dapeng scolds the manager, giving viewers a sense of relief. However, in the second installment, the same old tactics (verbal battles, speaking up for workers) no longer have the same impact, similar to drinking the same milk tea for the second time—no longer satisfying. Since the first film already touched on the most painful aspects, the sequel failed to create new emotional highlights, resulting in a sharp drop in box office sales.
2. The Commercial Nature of "Emotional Proxy Films": Short-Term Entertainment with No Long-Term Value
These films are like internet-famous desserts that provide temporary pleasure but offer no real benefits. Their core function is to vent emotions by pointing out workplace problems, using clichéd resolutions (such as villains being caught suddenly, or the protagonist finding comfort in a list of ordinary people) to avoid facing reality. After watching, viewers return to their daily routines with unchanged issues, and repeated such慰ments become ineffective. From a commercial perspective, products with short lifecycles that do not evolve are quickly abandoned by the market.
3. Changing Audience Needs: From Relief to Solutions
In 2023, audiences sought emotional catharsis due to workplace pressures, and "The Annual Meeting Must Go On! 1" provided an outlet. But now, they want practical solutions. While the films may offer temporary relief (like the protagonist quitting or getting revenge), they fail to address real questions (e.g., what to do in such situations). Without providing viable answers, these movies are doomed.
4. The Dilemma of Genre Films: Moving Beyond Emotional Relief
Many genre films have evolved from reflecting contemporary trends to exploring universal themes. For example, westerns have shifted from depicting the American Westward Expansion to exploring conflicts between civilization and barbarity, and noir films have moved from focusing on urban crime to examining human desires. However, "emotional proxy films" remain stuck in the realm of superficial relief, avoiding deeper discussions about systemic issues (such as the causes of workplace stress or how to improve company structures). To thrive, they must move beyond mere escapism and delve into more substantial narratives.
5. The Future of Emotional Consumption: Deepening Value
"Emotional proxy films" will not disappear, but the next wave of success will come from new angles that address real issues (e.g., the impact of AI on jobs or how to navigate remote work). Similar to how milk tea shops introduce new flavors, these films need to evolve, shifting from providing temporary pleasure to offering meaningful insights. Otherwise, they will remain fleeting phenomena.
In conclusion, "emotional proxy films" are a temporary response to workplace pressures, but audiences ultimately seek solutions, not just temporary relief. If they cannot move beyond emotional release to provide practical advice, they will be phased out by the market. After all, the struggles of employees are real, and they need more than someone to speak on their behalf—they want to know how to address these issues.