In contemporary Hollywood, an experimental filmmaking technique is starting to creep its way into mainstream film and television: non-linear storytelling. The term refers to a narrative structure that does not follow a straightforward, chronological order. Instead, events are presented out of sequence, jumping between different points in time or perspectives.

This non-traditional approach resonates particularly well with Gen-Z viewers, who have grown up in the age of social media and streaming platforms. Raised in an environment where information is continuously broken down into bite-sized, often out-of-order snippets — think Twitter threads, TikTok clips, and Instagram reels — Gen-Z is accustomed to piecing together narratives from fragmented content. Non-linear storytelling mirrors this experience, providing them with a sense of familiarity and engagement. The scattered format of present-day social media conditions users to absorb information in fragments, training them to track stories even when they’re not presented in a straightforward sequence.

The non-linear film Everything Everywhere All At Once reflects this Digital Age phenomenon in a way that’s almost too perfect. In the film, the protagonist navigates an endless array of alternate realities, resembling how we rapidly flip between apps, memes, and videos in our own “digital multiverse”. The Netflix series "Kaleidoscope" takes non-linearity a step further, constructing its episodes such that they may be viewed in any order. Similarly, "Black Mirror" explores multiple timelines and alternate endings, particularly in its interactive episode "Bandersnatch", where viewers choose the path the story takes.

In an age where narratives are increasingly flexible and audience engagement is paramount, non-linear storytelling offers a creative means to captivate viewers accustomed to fragmented content. This shift highlights the broader impact of digital culture on the ways stories are told, reflecting an era where traditional narrative forms are reimagined to align with modern viewing habits. Who knows where social media – and, by extension, film and television– might go next.