Not So Innocent
In recent years, there's been a growing trend of using elements from children's films and shows in adult content. Bright, colorful animation, anthropomorphized characters, and playful tropes—long associated with family-friendly entertainment—are now being repurposed to tell much more mature stories. Movies like Sausage Party and Strays have flipped the script, injecting graphic humor, explicit language, and sexual content into what traditionally feels like innocent, childlike media.
What initially seems like a simple attempt to subvert expectations actually carries deeper implications, prompting the question of why filmmakers are drawn to blending starkly contrasting elements and what this shift reveals about modern storytelling. In this article, Hollywood Branded explores the different ways this trend can be interpreted and what it might mean for the future of adult content.
The Power of childlike aesthetics with subversive themes
One of the most striking elements of films like Sausage Party (2016) and Strays (2023) is their use of childlike aesthetics—bright, colorful animation and familiar tropes like talking food or animals. In Sausage Party, the concept of food items coming to life is something we might associate with a light-hearted, family-friendly film. But instead of a simple story about food going on an adventure, the film turns these animated, familiar characters into crude, sexually explicit beings engaged in wild, shocking behavior. The movie uses its bright colors, playful characters, and friendly faces to draw viewers in, only to surprise them with adult humor that’s anything but innocent.
Photo Credit: Facebook
This technique can be seen as a clever way of subverting expectations. The childlike aesthetics create a sense of comfort and familiarity, which makes the sudden shift to adult themes more jarring—and perhaps more humorous. On the other hand, one could argue that this contrast speaks to a broader desire for more complex, layered storytelling in adult films, where what we see on the surface isn’t always what we get beneath. It’s not just about shocking the audience, but about playing with the audience’s preconceived notions of what animation and cartoonish elements “should” be.
However, there's an interesting dynamic here: does this reliance on recognizable, "safe" aesthetics feel like a reflection of how we expect childhood innocence to be treated in media, or is it more about the playful nature of turning that expectation on its head?
Photo Credit: YouTube
Nostalgia & the tension between innocence & adult themes
There’s another layer to this trend that touches on nostalgia. Many of us grew up with animated films that featured talking animals or food items, always portrayed in a wholesome, non-threatening way. Films like Lady and the Tramp or The Secret Life of Pets are staples of childhood media, and they have shaped how we view animated animals in general.
Photo Credit: Vox
Photo Credit: Brittanica
So, when films like Strays take the same talking dog trope and fill it with adult humor—dogs swearing, talking about revenge, taking shrooms, and discussing their grievances with their human owners—it creates a strong contrast that can be both jarring and funny.
Photo Credit: MoviePosters.com
For some, this is part of the appeal: seeing something so familiar in a completely new and unexpected way can be quite entertaining. It's as if Strays is taking a beloved childhood trope and updating it for an adult audience, blending the comfort of nostalgia with the edginess of mature content. Yet, there’s also an element of uncertainty. Does it feel like a deeper commentary on how we grow out of childhood, or does it lean too heavily on the inherent "cute" factor of these characters to elicit laughter?
Photo Credit: Roger Ebert
The use of familiar, childlike elements in adult films can also be seen as a way of bridging the gap between generations. By revisiting these characters and tropes with a more mature twist, filmmakers may be trying to tap into shared cultural experiences, using the same visual and narrative language that we grew up with, but with a more adult sensibility. The connection between childhood and adulthood is a complex one, and films like Sausage Party and Strays explore that tension by re-contextualizing familiar characters in an entirely new light.
Subversion or a Shortcut to edgy humor
At the heart of this trend is the question of whether subverting children’s media tropes is a form of innovative storytelling or just a shortcut to edgy content. In Sausage Party, for example, the film uses the familiar and safe world of grocery store food to explore themes like existentialism, religion, and human behavior—but with a comedic, often obscenely sexual twist. The contrast between the innocent visual style and the adult themes is a hallmark of the film, and it’s what makes it stand out in a crowded field of animated films.
On the other hand, it’s easy to wonder if the juxtaposition of innocence with adult content is being used more for shock value than for meaningful narrative. When Sausage Party takes the familiar idea of animated food and puts it into explicit, adult situations, the novelty of the shock is part of its charm—but could this technique be leaning on a gimmick rather than a deeper, more thoughtful approach to storytelling?
Photo Credit: YouTube
Similarly, Strays presents anthropomorphized dogs swearing and having adult conversations, a concept that’s certainly humorous in a surprising way. But one could also question whether the movie is relying more on the inherent absurdity of the contrast—talking dogs that curse—rather than building a truly groundbreaking story. Is the film really pushing boundaries, or is it playing into an easy, predictable formula that shocks and entertains without necessarily offering much more beneath the surface?
Gif Credit: Tenor
It’s possible that these films are sitting at the intersection of true creative subversion and clever marketing, using familiar elements from childhood media as a way to appeal to adult audiences while still playing with the inherent contrast between innocence and more mature themes.
The Risks of Desensitization and Blurred Boundaries
While the juxtaposition of childlike aesthetics with adult themes may seem humorous or novel, this approach carries potential dangers, especially when it comes to desensitization. By associating playful and innocent imagery with explicit content, there's a risk of blurring the lines between what is appropriate for different age groups. Familiar cartoonish visuals that traditionally signal innocence are being paired with graphic, adult material, which can dull the impact of mature themes over time.
Photo Credit: Facebook
This could make it harder to distinguish between content intended for children and that meant for adults, especially as animation becomes more diverse in its narrative scope. Moreover, constantly blending the two extremes may desensitize audiences to the gravity of adult themes like violence, sexuality, and substance abuse, reducing their emotional impact and making them seem less serious. The ongoing normalization of this trend in mainstream media could complicate how we consume and interpret entertainment, making it vital to consider the long-term psychological effects of such storytelling choices.
A nuanced look at Nostalgia, subversion, & audience expectations
Ultimately, the trend of repurposing elements from children's films into adult content reflects a complex, evolving conversation in entertainment. While it can be viewed as playful subversion, it also brings up significant concerns about desensitization, audience expectations, and the impact of nostalgia-driven media. Films like Sausage Party and Strays provide a fresh way to engage with familiar tropes, but they also raise questions about whether these subversions are pushing creative boundaries or simply capitalizing on shock value.
Regardless of the intent, this growing trend blurs the lines between childhood innocence and adult themes in ways that are bound to spark debate. As audiences, we are left to decide whether these films offer valuable commentary or if they simply play into a cultural fascination with contrast and discomfort.
Eager To Learn More?
Check out these other Hollywood Branded articles where we discuss additional polarizing topics in entertainment.
- From Taboo To Trendy - The Progressive Journey Of Cannabis Advertising
- From Pop to Politics: Taylor Swift's Endorsement Could Affect the 2024 Vote
- The “Kendall Jenner Pepsi Ad”: Politically Charged Advertisement Backlash
- How Does Celebrity Controversy Impact Brands? A Look At Miley Cyrus
- Is Controversy On TV A Secret Marketing Tool?
Want to stay in the know with all things pop culture? Look no further than our Hot in Hollywood newsletter! Each week, we compile a list of the most talked-about moments in the entertainment industry, all for you to enjoy!
