Scribbling Genre for Gen X
You're pitching a gritty sci-fi drama, and your main character is a middle-aged ex-agent who mistrusts the system but still steps in to do the right thing when it matters. Congrats, you've just nailed the Gen X hero. And if you haven't considered Gen X as a key audience for your genre story yet, it's time to open that toolbox.
I had been musing on my genre tastes and did some LLM-supported work on going deeper. This post will unpack the tone, character types, and emotional stakes that resonate with Gen X. Spoiler: it's not about high-gloss escapism. It's gotta have meaning, edge, and authenticity.
The Responsible Rebel
They Know the Game Is Rigged, But They Still Show Up. It’s not about the wide-eyed dreamer who wants to save the world. It's about the mechanic who fixes the ship because someone has to. Gen X characters thrive in that tension between skepticism and duty.
Reluctant leaders who take-point because no one else will.
Characters who participate in broken systems without illusion.
Heroes motivated by integrity, not ideology.
Protagonists who are neither naive idealists nor nihilists. They’re flawed, weary, and real. Look to "Andor" or "The Old Man" for inspiration.
Survival as Moral Compass
Gen X loves dystopia, but not for spectacle. It's the small, human moments that land.
Midlife caretakers keeping kids, parents, or partners safe.
Protagonists who prioritize dignity over dominance.
Protagonists who survive not to win, but to honor a promise.
Emotional survival > global stakes. "Station Eleven" and "The Last of Us."
Tech-Smart, Platform-Skeptical: Off-Grid, On Point
A character who can hack the system but doesn't trust it. That’s the Gen X mindset.
Fluent with tech but not enamored.
Ghosts social media, has backup generators and burner phones.
Uses tools, but isn't ruled by them.
Think “Mr. Robot”, not “Black Mirror” despair. Analog souls in digital worlds.
Comfort Via Utility, Not Flash
Gen X doesn’t want aspirational wealth. They want gear that works and homes with history.
Characters who live in spaces that feel earned.
Costumes and settings that signal quality over trend.
Emotional luxury: peace, privacy, functionality.
Patagonia, not Prada. “The Bear” over “Succession.” Like a well-worn leather jacket with a story.
Soft Nostalgia, Hard Edges
Gen X can love the past without being stuck there. They want legacy, not retread.
Stories that revisit old IP with growth and perspective.
Sequels that reflect on what the hero missed the first time.
Tone that feels 80s/90s, but ethics that have evolved.
“Cobra Kai” crushes this. So does “Creed.” Not a reboot, a reckoning.
Moral Codes Sans Moralizing
Forget purity tests. Gen X believes in internal codes, not groupthink.
Heroes who are messy but principled.
Villains who aren't cartoonishly evil, just compromised.
Decisions made in the gray, not the black-and-white.
Characters stick to their code, even when it doesn’t pay off. “Logan.” “The Mandalorian.” “John Wick.”
If you're creating Gen X genre stories, not just consuming them – be it sci-fi, fantasy, horror, thriller, or action – consider:
Embracing their "reluctant realist" energy
Prioritizing character-driven, emotionally grounded storytelling
Balancing nostalgia with emotional evolution
Using a tone that mixes dry humor, grit, and moments of grace
Letting them be the competent, skeptical adults they are
Remember, you’re not facing the blank page solo. You’ve got your Scribblers Toolbox standing by for support, wisdom, and nostalgia. So, LFG! Always be scribbling!
