You know what  flattens my cola? Subverting expectations. This trope needs to stop. Why is subverting expectations a good thing? What is wrong with getting what you expect? This idea is popular in entertainment and it usually spoils what you are watching/reading. Sometimes, or actually most of the time, it is good to get what you expect. Imagine you go to a restaurant and order a hamburger, but the waiter comes to your table and slaps you in the face. Wow, you didn’t expect that, did you? What a pleasant surprise. 

Having something unexpected just for the sake of “subverting expectations” is not good. And most of the time you see it coming, because you are expecting to get the unexpected. The twist ending itself has become cliche. A strong female protagonist? Bet you didn’t expect that except for every single time that you did. You know what would really be unexpected, sorry, I mean “subvert expectations” (have to stay on brand): Getting a straight forward story. What’s wrong with seeing something we have seen before? If we like it, then of course we want to see it again. 

My biggest problem isn’t getting the unexpected, but rather the fact that it is praised and repeated as a talking point. What’s your movie about? “Blah blah subverts expectations blah blah.” Oh, wonderful. I can’t wait to predict the ending in 5 minutes. You can tell this is nonsense by the fact that people use that exact phrasing: “subvert expectations.” It’s a buzz word. I’m sick of it. Just give me what I expect. Or make good movies, because that would be unexpected.