Character development in movies has changed a lot over the years. These changes show how audiences have different expectations now compared to the past. Let’s break it down into a few key points:

1. Historical Context:
   The way characters are created has changed because of shifts in society.
   In the early 1900s, especially during the silent film era (1890s-1920s), characters were often pretty simple.
   Viewers liked clear heroes and villains, mirroring the straightforward life back then.
   But starting in the 1970s, films began to show more complicated characters who faced tough choices. This change reflected a society that was starting to question traditional beliefs.

2. Genres and Character Complexity:
   Different movie genres have led to different kinds of characters.
   For example:

   • Film Noir (1940s-1950s): Characters here were more flawed and complicated. This matched the feelings of disappointment after the war, like in the movie "Double Indemnity" (1944).
   • Action Films (1980s-1990s): Characters were often superhuman, like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator in "The Terminator" (1984).
     Even in these films, characters started to show more emotions by the late 90s.
   • Dramatic Films (2000s-present): The rise of anti-heroes—like Walter White in "Breaking Bad"—changed everything. Viewers now wanted to see characters that were just as complex as they were in real life.

3. Diversity and Representation:
   How diverse characters are represented has also changed what audiences expect.
   For example:

   • In the 2000s, fewer than 20% of leading roles in big Hollywood films went to people of color.
     But by 2020, that number rose to 35%, meaning representation got a lot better.
   • Audiences really enjoy movies that have strong female characters. A great example is "Wonder Woman" (2017), which made over $821 million worldwide.

4. Psychological Realism:
   Recently, character development has focused more on showing real emotions and thoughts.
   For instance, movies used to last about 90 minutes in the 1980s, but by 2020, they averaged around 116 minutes.
   This extra time allows filmmakers to explore characters’ backgrounds and feelings more.
   Studies show that viewers are more drawn to films that really dive into character stories, leading to a trend in storytelling that values this depth.

In summary, character development in film has changed a lot over different times, reflecting how audiences feel about culture, society, and psychology. This change affects how stories are told today, making deep and complex characters very important in modern movies.