Author: Isabelle Dacey

 

 

Who will be tuning in?
Older women. The audience is predicted to lean female (58%) as well as 30+ (58%), similar to other streaming series with primarily female ensemble casts (Glow, Orange Is the New Black).

What crucial core essence will this series share with the movie?
Compelling team relationships against a backdrop of broader social change. As in the 1992 film, the trailer follows the formation and eventual success of the Rockford Peaches, and the Coach-Athlete Relationship (160) between the washed-up, cantankerous Coach Dove Porter and his players as well as the inviolable Female Friendships (160) forged between Peach teammates lie at its heart. At the same time, the story presents a strong narrative of Female Empowerment (160) within the context of professional Sports (158) as the women players defy the conservative, patriarchal society of 1940s America. All are top drivers of engagement for both movie and series.

What new elements does this remake bring to the story?
Explorations of the minority experience. The trailer both delves into an African-American POV (160) by following the Racial Tensions (121) encountered by a mega-talented Black player banned from the all-white league, and highlights LGBTQIA+ Themes (120) by showcasing the dynamics among several queer players as they discover a safe space within a hostile world. Although these viewpoints were left out of the original film, they are just as important in bringing audiences to the series.

What emotional experience will most entice audiences?
Upbeat idealism. The trailer foregrounds feelings of Awe (129), Amazement (129), and Joy (126) as the various players live, love, laugh, and have fun with their newfound senses of freedom and opportunity in the league. These positive emotions are a crucial factor in driving ratings.

How will the series’ sense of humor factor into its success?
It will make the central relationships more dynamic. The core players–already portrayed by a critically-acclaimed comedic cast–engage in witty one-liners and physical jokes that feed directly into the their Friendships (146), camaraderie, and Empowerment (143).

 

 

*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

 

About Vault AI

Based in Los Angeles and Israel, Vault AI is using a combination of machine learning and consumer insights experts to help the entertainment industry predict consumer response to content. Test your content faster and more accurately with Vault AI and get granular insights across the entire content life cycle today.

Who’s the target audience for this new adaptation?
Older men. Viewers are predicted to lean male (54%) and skew mostly toward 30+ (62%). Compared to previous Gaiman-adjacent adaptations, however, The Sandman will likely be the most gender-balanced; both American Gods and Good Omens appealed even more solidly to men (57-59%), while the audience for Lucifer–loosely based on a secondary character from The Sandman comics–was heavily female thanks to its crime-solving focus.

Which element of the story will most bring in viewers?
Morpheus’s crusade to regain control of his realm. Audiences will be drawn to the hardened character’s chaotic New Beginning (160) after a century’s imprisonment and his long-held but Unlikely Friendship (160) with loyal ally Lucienne, the compassionate Librarian who ran the kingdom in his absence. Establishing the pair’s supportive dynamic early on will be important.

What type of emotional experience will keep audiences tuned in?
A dark one. The driving forces behind the show’s bingeability are the twin desires of Power (139) and Vengeance (121), emanating not only from Morpheus but also his twisted rogue creation: a sentient nightmare known as The Corinthian. The ongoing ‘good vs. evil’ Rivalry (136) between the two helps establish a menacing intensity that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

How important is comic author Neil Gaiman to the series’ likely success?
Indispensable. The fact that this show is Based on a Book (160) is an extremely powerful viewership driver, much more so than we typically see for other adaptations. Gaiman’s overall popularity and prestige will be a major source of Sandman buzz, and his 75-issue comics and the Magic (139) they contain will provide endless material to make the series extremely bingeworthy.

Besides the author himself, which storyline will get people talking?
Morpheus’s descent into Hell. Upon his return, the character must embark On a Mission (113) into the underworld, and his encounter with the impossibly powerful Lucifer (played by Game of Thrones’ Gwendoline Christie) as well as other surprising elements of her fiery realm will help drive online chatter.

Did the show’s recent Comic-Con panel help stoke fan anticipation?
Definitely. The series saw a huge spike in social tracking (up to 149, out of a possible 160) with last week’s release of its Comic-Con exclusive trailer, and quotes from author Gaiman captured during the Hall H Q&A have been picked up in the entertainment media.

 

 

*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

 

About Vault AI

Based in Los Angeles and Israel, Vault AI is using a combination of machine learning and consumer insights experts to help the entertainment industry predict consumer response to content. Test your content faster and more accurately with Vault AI and get granular insights across the entire content life cycle today.

Who will be the main audience for this film?
Older men. Thanks to its mature male star and stylized action, men 30+ are predicted to make up the largest audience segment at 38%. The movie is expected to lean heavily male (62%) and older (62%) overall, creating a demographic profile very similar to Top Gun: Maverick.

How does the movie’s unique setting figure into its potential for success?
It’s one of the biggest selling points. The Japanese Bullet Train Setting (160) both introduces a compelling international backdrop and creates a colorful, thrilling, and even comedic cage for Pitt to escape.

Does the specific mission matter?
Not really. The up-for-grabs briefcase that every assassin in Tokyo has set their eyes on is, at the end of the day, a MacGuffin. But the over-the-top mayhem by Colorful Assassins (160) in pursuit of the briefcase leads to elevated moments of Stylistic Physical Action (160) that moviegoers will crave.

What makes Bullet Train stand out from other action-thrillers?
Its non-stop humor. A barrage of Comedic One-Liners (115), Awkward Moments (111), and Physical Humor (111) represent the top drivers of story freshness. The film blends action beats with a hilarious comedy of errors, mixing in cultural misunderstandings, sarcastic wit, and general absurdity to concoct a memorable genre fusion.

Will Sandra Bullock’s supporting role make an impact?
Yes, but mainly for older women. For them, the camaraderie between Pitt and his remote Partner (110) works especially well. When you factor in that the voice on the other end of the line is none other than the beloved Sandra Bullock coming off The Lost City, women 30+ will have an even bigger reason to come out.

 

 

*Publicly released trailers for widely released films are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside historical box office performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive opening weekend success.

Vault AI uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on opening weekend success: 

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About Vault AI

Based in Los Angeles and Israel, Vault AI is using a combination of machine learning and consumer insights experts to help the entertainment industry predict consumer response to content. Test your content faster and more accurately with Vault AI and get granular insights across the entire content life cycle today.

Who’s the audience for this title?
Older women. The Resort’s viewership is predicted to lean female (55%) and skew mostly older (60% aged 30+), similar to the audience for fellow streaming retreat-based drama Nine Perfect Strangers. (Thanks to its cable-focused release strategy, dark comedy White Lotus instead saw an older audience at 90% 35+).

Which storyline will be the most important?
The flashbacks. Before they go missing in 2007, teens Sam and Violet embark on a Coming of Age (160) journey of self-discovery, striking up a whirlwind summer Teen Romance (160) while on vacation at the resort. Their story–more than that of the couple who will later investigate their disappearance–is the series’ top ratings driver.

Where does the present-day couple’s storyline come in?
It’s supportive. Though not the absolute top ratings drivers, 2022 couple Emma and Noah’s Interracial Romance (133) will still help to pull in viewers, as will the danger and excitement they encounter as they become drawn into Scary Situations (143) and Action & Violence (128) while chasing down clues.

What will help this series have staying power?
Its setting and sense of humor. In addition to Sam and Violet’s teen coming of age storyline, the show’s ‘On Vacation’ (120) resort backdrop and witty, droll Sarcasm (117) are important drivers for its potential longevity.

What’s the best way to describe The Resort’s genre?
Mystery (121)–Thriller (110). The show’s central conceit, in which a present-day couple attempts to Solve the Mystery (160) of two teens’ past disappearance, heavily drives this core perception. Underneath, the teens’ sweet Coming of Age (160) Teen Romance (147) adds a strong flavor of dreamy Fantasy (113). Comedy (99), though still important and largely drawn from the show’s On Vacation (160) resort setting, is less prevalent in its genre mix.

 

 

*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

 

About Vault AI

Based in Los Angeles and Israel, Vault AI is using a combination of machine learning and consumer insights experts to help the entertainment industry predict consumer response to content. Test your content faster and more accurately with Vault AI and get granular insights across the entire content life cycle today.

What does the core audience look like for this new Resident Evil series?
It leans male (58%) and 30+ (53%), with the most prevalent demo predicted to be men 18-44. The show appeals to a slightly younger viewership than similar gaming adaptations The Witcher, Halo, and the animated Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness (58-66% 30+).

Why is now a good time for a new entry in the Resident Evil franchise?
Because of its topicality. The Resident Evil world–and this new series in particular–touches on several cultural issues currently in the news, including a citizenry whose Life Is in Danger (126) from a pandemic-level virus, a broad conspiracy masking a Hidden Truth (131), and questions around the credibility of medical Science (123). All three are key viewership drivers.

What could get more people talking about the show?
Its unique-for-the-franchise diversity. This series reimagines a key (and traditionally white) gaming villain as Black and follows his heroic daughter across two different timelines; their centralized Black POV (143) is the top motivation for social buzz as well as a crucial ratings driver. Viewers are excited to see the core desires of Physicality (110) and Vengeance (105) through the eyes of an African-American lead.

What role should the zombies play in the series?
A supporting one. While the disturbing, virus-mutated creatures in the show’s post-apocalyptic timeline are essential to its Stylized Action and Violence (120), to optimize ratings, its overall focus should remain on the human characters as they struggle to survive and enact revenge on the evil Umbrella Corporation. This finding lies in contrast to shows like Fear the Walking Dead and Day of the Dead, for which the zombies themselves are an important driver of bingeability.

What’s the importance of the brand name for this series?
It sets background expectations but is not the key draw. The Resident Evil IP Extension (103) will of course attract attention and contribute to social buzz, but it’s actually the brand new story being told that will most attract viewers, even if the liberties taken with gaming canon might ruffle some feathers.

 

 

*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

 

About Vault AI

Based in Los Angeles and Israel, Vault AI is using a combination of machine learning and consumer insights experts to help the entertainment industry predict consumer response to content. Test your content faster and more accurately with Vault AI and get granular insights across the entire content life cycle today.

How does this show’s audience compare to others in the same genre?
It’s younger. As with similarly spooky reality series Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures, the Conjuring Kesha audience leans female (59%), but thanks to the latter’s streaming-only platform and Millennial-aged host, its viewers are considerably younger (44% <30) than its cable-based predecessors (only 12-13% <35).

What’s the most intriguing aspect of Conjuring Kesha?
Its eerie tone. The Scary Situations (160) that envelop Kesha and her friends as they explore one Haunted House (160) after another and experience undeniable signs of the paranormal are top ratings drivers. Viewers are leaning hard into the show’s sense of Terror (114) and Surprise (114) as they witness unexplained and Mysterious Events (121).

Is having Kesha at the helm a draw?
Most definitely. As a Strong Female Character (160), she is a crucial driver of overall viewership as she guides the audience through each scene of terror, and as a world-famous popstar, she helps contribute to the show’s likely longevity thanks to its Celebrity Focus (118).

How do Kesha’s famous guest stars fit in?
They amp up the show’s appeal. As with Kesha herself, her rotating cast of assistant ghost hunters, including comedian Whitney Cummings, bounce rapper Big Freedia, and The Bachelorette‘s Jojo Fletcher, help increase ratings, social buzz, and bingeability. These guests contribute to the show’s intimate feel with their straight-to-camera, Talking Heads (157)-style interviews.

What will get people talking AND extend the life of the series?
The broader themes of exploration. The fact that Kesha and her co-stars are Searching for the Truth (117) about the paranormal by Ghost Hunting (126) at well-known Landmarks (114) across the country (such as the infamous Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia) creates a repeatable premise that both inspires social buzz and helps set up a second season.

 

 

*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

 

About Vault AI

Based in Los Angeles and Israel, Vault AI is using a combination of machine learning and consumer insights experts to help the entertainment industry predict consumer response to content. Test your content faster and more accurately with Vault AI and get granular insights across the entire content life cycle today.

FX’s newest series made quite the splash with its mid-June debut, emerging as the most-watched cable series premiere since January 2021. Based on the bestselling novel, this dark, gritty spy thriller stars Jeff Bridges as an ex-CIA operative on the run from black-ops assassins and has already been renewed for a second season. Here’s what you need to know about The Old Man:

Who’s the audience for this series?
As the title aptly suggests, older men. The show’s initial cable run skews heavily older (with 81% aged 35+) and leans male (53%); though its next-day Hulu streaming does help bring in some younger viewers. The overall audience falls squarely in the Gen X-to-Boomers range, similar to fellow FX gritty dramas Snowfall and Mayans.

Where does The Old Man fall on the genre scale?
Into Action-Thriller territory. However, while the show’s gripping Action & Violence (142) place it next to other male-driven thrillers like Shooter, Mosquito Coast, The Terminal List, and Condor, The Old Man also boasts a near-Western (130) flavor thanks to the cowboy-like Tough Guy persona of Bridges’ rugged CIA vet.

What’s driving the show’s noteworthy ratings?
Its pervasive sense of danger. Protagonist Dan Chase is Under Threat (160) not only from pursuing assassins but also a mysterious and potentially deadly figure from his past; these perils, combined with his on-the-run status (Being Hunted (127)), create what is far and away the show’s most compelling story hook.

Has the show’s social buzz kept up with its viewership?
Yes. The Old Man saw a huge jump in online activity (to our max of 160) upon its premiere and has been hovering north of 120 ever since, a good sign for sustained word-of-mouth. As with its ratings, the show’s buzz is being driven primarily by the thrills, action, and suspense around Chase’s off-the-grid, fugitive status.

What makes Chase’s character more dynamic than the flat ‘action hero’ stereotype?
His love of dogs. Beyond being a regulation tough guy, the grizzled Chase also demonstrates compassion and depth through his commitment to Rottweilers Dave and Carol (Animal Companionship (116)), beloved partners who accompany him everywhere. This richness makes Chase a character worth rooting for across multiple seasons.

 

 

*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

 

About Vault AI

Based in Los Angeles and Israel, Vault AI is using a combination of machine learning and consumer insights experts to help the entertainment industry predict consumer response to content. Test your content faster and more accurately with Vault AI and get granular insights across the entire content life cycle today.

To honor the last week of Pride Month, and with the recent success of shows like Heartstopper, Euphoria, Queer Eye, and Love, Victor across both TV and streaming, Vault AI wanted to dig deeper into current trends for series with prominent LGBTQIA+ themes. Here’s what Vault uncovered:

What demographic tends to be the most attracted to series with compelling LGBTQIA+ hooks?
Women. Of all the series in StoryGuide that motivate viewership via their LGBTQIA+ Themes and Protagonists, the vast majority skew female, with an average audience make-up of 61%.

What’s the trend for LGBTQIA+-related shows in recent years?
Rising in number and popularity. As a viewership driver, LGBTQIA+ Themes has become increasingly prevalent since roughly 2016, helping to boost ratings, binge, and longevity for the shows that offer it. So far peaking in 2021 with 19 occurrences, this driver—defined as “topics connected to members of the LGBTQIA+ community”—has an “outstanding”-level impact nearly every time it appears.

How are LGBTQIA+ leads being represented on-screen today?
With more nuance than ever. Over the last few years, shows as varied as Euphoria and Joe vs. Carole, and have found success in fully dimensionalizing their main characters, building them out to where their sexuality is one of many key traits rather than the only one. LGBTQIA+ Protagonists explore storylines ranging from Adultery and Dysfunctional Relationships to Teen Life and Rivalry–just like any non-LGBTQIA+ role.

What’s the impact of featuring an LGBTQIA+ protagonist?
Strong and positive. Queer leads are increasingly becoming more of a draw for audiences eager for unique and authentic characters and storylines that center historically maginalized voices. In only the first six months of 2022, LGBTQIA+ Protagonists have already become more prevalent and more impactful than in both 2020 and 2021, particularly in terms of encouraging binge-watching.

Which story drivers work best alongside LGBTQIA+ Themes?
Love and family dynamics. Queer themes are often most effectively explored within the context of close personal relationships, creating tension and emotion that become compelling reasons to watch. Indeed, LGBTQIA+ narratives that highlight Romantic and Family Relationships in particular tend to drive ratings and bingeability.

 

 

*Publicly released trailers for series are evaluated using Vault AI’s algorithms – utilizing our proprietary 120K+ story element database alongside ratings performance and other datasets – to identify unique combinations of stories, themes, characters, and genre elements that will drive success.

 

About Vault AI

Based in Los Angeles and Israel, Vault AI is using a combination of machine learning and consumer insights experts to help the entertainment industry predict consumer response to content. Test your content faster and more accurately with Vault AI and get granular insights across the entire content life cycle today.