escape from reality theme

also known as: escapism

A character prefers to dream up a fantasy world rather than face reality.

59 total · 15 choice · 33 major · 11 minor

StoryLevelMotivation
as1985e1x10 choice Walter was watching TV too escape from the reality of his dysfunctional family life. When TV characters started to come real he got more than he bargained for, and he learned his lesson.
as1985e2x04 choice Harry had a habit of slipping into horror and suspense movie-inspired daydreams, leaving his family concerned that he was losing touch with reality.
blackmirror1x02 choice People did nothing but escape from reality and the protagonist Bing was desperate for something "real" as he called it.
blackmirror3x04 choice San Junipero was an escape that had to be rationed because people ignore the real world otherwise.
ds97x10 choice Nog retreated to a holo suite Las Vegas fantasy world
futurama5x9101112 choice Bender got into Dungeons & Dragons and ended up failing to be able to distinguish between fantasy and reality to the extent that he was institutionalized.
movie: The Nines (2007) choice Gary was an alien who immersed himself in the game that was Earth to such an extent that he forgot who he were
rbt1985e6x02 choice Leo's "happiness" machine turned out to be an escape from reality device, much like television. The point of the story was that such things are bad, and that we must instead enjoy life as it is.
talesoftheunexpected2x13 choice Mr. Botibol fantasized that he was an all time great composer.
tos0x01 choice Talosians