Angelique Letizia shows us not only is the Hero’s Journey still very much alive, but it is embedded in the human story:
The hero’s journey isn’t dead. Stories are how we make sense of the world, how we pass down wisdom, and how we see ourselves reflected across time.
So when a producer recently told me that the hero’s journey was dead, I almost spit out my tea.
“How is that?” I asked, curious to see his response.
“It’s just been done. We’re looking for something new, fresh. Ya know, out with the old.”
You could almost hear my eyes roll. “Do you understand the significance of the hero’s journey and the role it plays in human consciousness?”
The widening of his eyes led me to believe the answer was no, and so I leaned in, unable to stop myself.
Every great story, whether ancient or modern, taps into this universal rhythm. The call to adventure, the trials, the descent into darkness, and the return with a boon (newfound wisdom)—mirrors our evolution, and that is why we resonate with them.
The hero’s journey, specifically, is embedded in the human psyche. It’s the path of awakening.
Why do we resonate with myths? Why do we follow legends? Fairytales? And why do we seek meaning in struggle?
Perhaps it’s because, in those stories, we see a reflection of our own. A roadmap of where we’ve been and where we might go. They are us, and we are them. Through their journeys, we live the adventure, learn the lessons, endure the agony of defeat, the pain of heartbreak, the joy of new love, and the thrill of victory—all through the power of imagination.
Every single human creation bears a part of our origin story, and that is the significance of the journey.
I was surprised to see that rather than argue, he smiled and shared that he had never thought of it that way, that he’d seen it more as a storytelling device rather than universal wisdom.
The hero’s journey lives. It breathes life into every story that moves us, every lesson passed down, and every trial we face and overcome. It’s not just the arc of storytelling—it’s the arc of humanity itself.
And only through sharing our journey with those on the path and those yet to walk it will our collective story echo through time as a testament to where we have been and where we might be destined to go.
Keep Shining ⭐
Angelique Letizia is the Founder & CEO of Starr Films. © Angelique Letizia
Darrick Dean 