Influencer Grace Reiter recently went viral with the release of “The Hunger Games (but better)” on YouTube. I was able to interview her about her upcoming project and how the movies that have inspired her have impacted our generation.
The popular projects released by the American High Shorts actress have shown the world just how much we crave young comedians’ humor. On top of that, they bring us together by presenting comedy in the form of films that we grew up on.
Reiter was able to give insight into her past “But Better” project, her upcoming “But Better” project, and why she thinks the specific films she has chosen connect with her audience.
Why did “The Hunger Games (but better)” do so well?
“The Hunger Games (but better)” currently sits at almost 13 million views. According to Grace Reiter, the group that created this film did not expect such a reaction. “I really was like, ‘Please get a million views!'”
There were two main components to this video going viral. Firstly, fans could not get enough of the hilarious jokes the cast created. Secondly, they were able to see reinterpretations of scenes from movies they have widely enjoyed for years.
“I think it has a really strong fandom, and I think the fans are hungry,” said Reiter.
Countless viewers who enjoyed the iconic “The Hunger Games“ when it first came out continue to enjoy it today. Many regard it as one of the best dystopian films of all time, released during the height of “Young Adult” media.
We grew up on these now “classic” movies
The Hunger Games film released in theatres in 2012. The movie starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth recreated much of the renowned novel by the same name.
This feature is known widely throughout pop culture spaces, even taking a key role in some young people’s lives. When asked why she wanted to recreate this specific film, Reiter answered, “I think it is just an iconic series and franchise.”
Many Gen Z minds see the film as a classic today. ‘I think I just knew it so well,” said Reiter. “I was like, ‘I could remake it right now.'” Such is the result of watching these movies as often as we have.
These movies basically raised us
Gen Z refers to anyone born between 1997 and 2012. For members of this generation who weren’t quite old enough to watch the release of The Hunger Games in the theater or witness the rise of the novel’s popularity in 2008, the already large fan base was eager to share its favorite piece of media in the coming years.
This was just in time, as the back end of Gen Z would soon begin their venture into PG-13 movies. The popular culture in the 2010’s also pushed dystopian love stories, including Twilight, throughout the decade, ensuring everyone knew The Hunger Games.
“It’s just got that thing you want from a dystopian,” explained Reiter.
The series’ universal appeal and continuing impact (including its recent continuations through prequels) have solidified its status as a “classic” for the generation that grew up on it.
The emphasis on nostalgia
The Hunger Games already has such a large fanbase, but perhaps there is another reason for the popularity of the film almost fifteen years later.
Because many grew up on this film, it serves as a form of nostalgia, reminding us of our older, more innocent memories. For many, this feature is a reminder of simpler times, even though the plot ironically has nothing to do with simplicity.
The Hunger Games (but better) is a reminder of a movie that we all loved when we were younger. It mimics something we already know and cherish as a generation, while putting a new spin on the plot to make us laugh.
Reliable humor
The sense of humor shown in this project largely contributed to the multitude of views that were pulled in. Many know Reiter throughout social media as a hilarious comedian.
Along with many actors in this production, Grace got her start from social media, later working with American High Shorts.
This group of friends has gone viral many times before. We expected nothing less from the funniest possible crew.
Many viewers took some of their favorite quips and stuck with them. Reiter even hears these quotes in public: “I was truly on a first date in the city, and some kids were like, ‘Mom! Mom! Reaping! Going! Now!”
It’s all thanks to the power of friendship!
Reiter talks about her castmates fondly, as the original video’s intention was to be a fun project with her friends for birthday. The fun the cast has comes across on screen in the best ways possible.
Much of the comedy in the viral video is based on the friendships built between the cast. Playing on eachothers’ senses of humor allows funnier riffs and jokes to be made.
It helped, too, that each person had their own unique sense of humor. “Everyone else I just had a specific vision of like, I just know where they would fit,” Reiter explained.
The casting could not have been more perfect.
“Twilight (but better)“
The next “But Better” production is set to be a recreation of Twilight. Reiter says she knew she wanted to use this film as inspiration from the start. “Twilight, in a similar fashion, I think, is so iconic”
The original film also follows the development of a young adult book-turned dystopian movie. “There’s something about that world,” Reiter explained, when asked why these types of films interested her.
We should also be expecting something a bit different from last year, too, for this new video. “I knew I had to step it up. So I think I stepped it up production-wise.”
Bringing iconic scenes to life
When asked which element of the movie she was most excited to bring to life, Reiter commented, “I feel like Kristen Stewart’s performance as Bella.”
Many people know Stewart’s interpretation of Bella as an overdramatic and amusingly overplayed character due to her exaggerated expressions, such as the unnecessary lip-biting. Perfect for parodying!
Reiter was also eager to take her shot at another well-known scene.
“The baseball sequence… that I was excited about. That is like the most iconic part of the movie. I think it’s just so… oh, it’s so good!”
The future of “But Better” Productions
Luckily for us, Grace Reiter plans to continue projects like this. When asked about the future, she responded, “It would be cool in the next one if… someone from The Hunger Games was in it. Or Twilight!“
She also gave us some ideas for future films that But Better Productions may parodize.
Reiter listed Dune, Avatar, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Wizard of Oz, Barbie: Now You See Me, and Pride and Prejudice.
While talking about Dune, Reiter mentioned she had an exciting twist on the reinterprepation that she doen’t want to give away yet. We can only anticipate when she will announce next years adaptaion (of course, after rewatching Twilight (but better) five times).
Film has influenced us all
The success of The Hunger Games (but better) and the anticipation of Twilight (but better) show just how in tune with cinema Gen Z is. They have deemed these movies worthy of their large fandoms and cult followings.
This generation shows time and time again that they are united by nostalgia. Their love for film is built into the way they were brought up.
But Better Productions has inadvertently proved Gen Z’s passion for both new comedy and iconic films. Its success is built off of the culture which it is aimed towards and the culture that created it.
But Better Productions has found the formula for enticing its targeted audience, and it has an intentive fan-base on the edge of its seat ready for the next release.
You can watch the full interview with Grace Reiter below:
