Chloé Zhao Defends Comic-Book Movies: It's Important to Not Write Off Stories Because We Don't Consider Them High Art

From Manga Dreams to Movie Magic

When Chloé Zhao was growing up, she dreamed not of directing movies but becoming a manga artist. But I wasn't very good at drawing. I wasn't up to standard, she said with a laugh during a wide-ranging masterclass about her career on Friday after...

“But I wasn't very good at drawing. I wasn't up to standard,” she said with a laugh during a wide-ranging masterclass about her career on Friday afternoon at the Venice Film Festival. “I wanted to tell stories. I didn't think cinema was an option for me.”

Of course, Zhao found her way into film and directed acclaimed movies such as 2020's Oscar-winning "Nomadland" and 2025's Shakespearean drama "Hamnet." She was eventually able to meld her passions with 2021's Marvel adaptation "Eternals," which starred Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Brian Tyree Henry, Barry Keoghan, Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie and revolved around an immortal alien race sent to protect Earth from evil beings.

The Case for Comic-Book Cinema

I loved doing it, she said of directing the movie. “For any of you who love anime, I know you know this was a girl's dream come true. Comic books are the western equivalent of [manga]. They are very different, but I live in the west, and that's what I had access to.”

Although superhero movies have waned in popularity since the pandemic — even "Eternals" fell short of box office expectations with $400 million globally against a $200 million-plus budget — Zhao sees the value in all forms of entertainment. That's unlike, say, Martin Scorsese, who has infamously likened Marvel movies to "theme parks."

“I do feel it's important to not write off stories because we don't consider them high art,” she said. “The purpose of storytelling for me, humbly, is to create containers for people ... to try to process what they need to process. Archetypes are such a great way to do it — and we see them in myths — is because it's something we all share.”

Bridging Worlds: From Eternals to Nomadland

She even drew a parallel between the big-budget tentpole "Eternals" and "Nomadland," a sweeping, lyrical drama about a widow who loses her job, leading her to live out of her car and travel around the U.S. for work, after the moderator suggested a sharp contrast between the back-to-back projects.

“What contrast? It's people in nature... with animals... who have complicated relationships with them,” Zhao said.

This marks a return to Venice for Zhao, having premiered "Nomadland" on the Lido in 2020. The film, starring Frances McDormand, was honored with the prestigious Golden Lion before Zhao became only the second woman ever to win best picture at the Academy Awards. Zhao was back in the awards race for "Hamnet," which fictionalizes the family life of Shakespeare. The tear-jerker scored eight Oscar nods and one win for Jessie Buckley as William's wife Agnes.

A Journey from Bartender to Director

During Friday's masterclass, Zhao shared that she didn't grow up watching a lot of films. And in her late 20s, she spent years as a bartender and described feeling "lost" before discovering her passion for movies.

“I was still longing to tell stories,” she said. “Film became a very natural choice. I always say film directors don't actually need to know how to do anything really well. I see it as someone who is going to manage an ecosystem, bringing everyone together.”

Existential Reflections

Despite her towering success, Zhao admits that, more recently, she's been pondering an existential question as a filmmaker.

“My life is occupied by screens. Am I missing life because I was always there trying to capture it?” she asked rhetorically. “I am going through that crisis right now.”

The Cultural Importance of All Stories

Zhao's passionate defense of comic-book movies is more than just a personal reflection — it's a cultural imperative. In our era of genre-bending storytelling and increased diversity in entertainment, she's reminding us that the stories we dismiss as lowbrow or formulaic often carry the same emotional weight and universal truths as any highbrow drama.

Comic books, with their rich visual narratives and complex character arcs, have long been a canvas for exploring identity, social justice, and the human condition. The medium has evolved far beyond its early days of simple good-versus-evil tales to encompass nuanced explorations of morality, family, and belonging — themes that resonate just as powerfully in cinema.

Zhao's perspective is particularly valuable because it comes from someone who understands the emotional depth that can be achieved through any storytelling medium. Her own journey from a manga enthusiast to an acclaimed filmmaker shows how these stories, regardless of their origins, can find new life and meaning when given the right hands.

By advocating for the value of comic-book movies, Zhao is challenging industry gatekeepers and critics who might dismiss these films as mere spectacle or commercial ventures. She's saying that entertainment, in all its forms, deserves respect and serious consideration.

Why Stories Matter

What makes Zhao's defense so compelling is how she frames storytelling not as an art form to be judged by elitist standards, but as a tool for human connection and understanding. In her view, stories — whether they come from comic books, novels, or film — are essential because they help us process our experiences and find common ground with others.

The archetypal characters that populate both comic books and mythological narratives serve as vessels for exploring fundamental aspects of the human experience. When we see a character like Spider-Man dealing with the weight of responsibility, or an Eternals team grappling with their immortality, we're seeing reflections of our own struggles and aspirations.

This approach to storytelling democratizes the art form, making it accessible and meaningful to a broader audience. It also challenges us to think more critically about why we value some stories over others — and whether those biases are based on merit or simply cultural prejudices.

As cinema continues to evolve in an increasingly digital landscape, Zhao's message becomes even more relevant. We're witnessing the rise of streaming platforms that blur the lines between different genres and formats, and a growing appreciation for diverse voices telling stories from various perspectives. Her stance encourages us to embrace this diversity and recognize the artistic merit in all forms of narrative expression.

The Future of Storytelling

Zhao's approach also hints at how the future of storytelling might be shaped by creators who understand that form doesn't determine content quality. The rise of adaptations from graphic novels to films, and the success of these projects, demonstrates that audiences are hungry for compelling narratives — regardless of their source material.

Her defense of comic-book movies isn't just about defending a particular genre or medium; it's about preserving the integrity and value of all storytelling. In an industry often focused on box office numbers and critical acclaim, Zhao reminds us that the true measure of a story's worth lies in its ability to connect with people on a fundamental human level.

By continuing to champion these stories, Zhao is helping to reshape how we think about entertainment — not as disposable content or mere distraction, but as meaningful cultural artifacts that reflect our shared experiences and aspirations.