The media we consume massively influences the kind of love we view as acceptable or desirable. Whether it’s the latest couples trend on TikTok, a Shakespeare play or a Picasso painting, we are guaranteed to internalise these depictions of love, and begin to form preferences for the love we wish to receive – be that romantic, familial or platonic.
Of course, we can also develop these preferences through love stories in the media that are unappealing (may a love like Ross Geller and Rachel Green’s never find any of us), but these preferences will differ depending on which demographics we may fall into. Culturally, based on gender, age or sexuality, our perceptions of a desirable love story can’t always align. While you may have loved the slow burn of Devi Vishwakumar and Ben Gross’ academic rivals-to-friends-to-lovers trope in Never Have I Ever, someone who appreciates the immediacy of an idealistic love-at-first-sight trope is guaranteed to find it tumultuous and dragged out.
In recent years, there has been a surge of recognition that finding love in a relationship isn’t necessarily the focal point of our lives anymore. The platonic love involved, particularly in female friendships, has made itself known across social media and the film industry. Conveying the motto, ‘sisters before misters’, the film adaptation of Wicked has recently been added to the pile of classics like The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants and Sex and the City.
Love, though, in the film industry, is definitely not always portrayed in the idyllic, pure way that we might hope for. Often it’s transactional, financially or sexually fuelled. It seems that we generally accept these storylines in film that we wouldn’t value so much in music. Judging by the 2025 charts, love songs like ‘Die With A Smile’ by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, and Billie Eilish’s ‘Birds Of A Feather’ appeal to us because they talk about having a deep love for someone that will last until death. The tune of the songs definitely balances out the morbid aspect, so we’re left with a meaningful depiction of love which seems to be widely relatable to platonic and romantic love.
Gigi Perez’s ‘Sailor Song’ went viral, and rightfully so, for being inherently romantic even with sexual lyrics that really resonated with the queer community online. Perez’s artistry is an excellent example of the unique connection within queer relationships that don’t traditionally gain the same traction as your average straight love song.
Modern perceptions of love have also been curated through the widespread awareness of the five love languages – words of affirmation, gift giving, acts of service, quality time, and physical touch, which undoubtedly all play a role in the traditional romantic relationship dynamic, but to me, it all seems a little cookie cutter. How you love and need to be loved is deeply personal and will change with you throughout your life – it’s a matter of self-discovery that won’t necessarily be shown through the media, and that’s perfectly fine.
Words by Faye Gavin
Picture credits to Bhamini Khandige