Modern films give children more agency in the dynamic. They aren't just victims of a new marriage; they are active participants who can sabotage or save the new family unit.
A defining characteristic of modern cinema is the presence of the "Ex." In older films, the ex-spouse was often dead or conveniently absent. In modern films (e.g., It’s Complicated), the ex is a permanent fixture. herlimit dee williams payback for stepmom hot
Noah Baumbach is the master of the modern fractured family. Modern films give children more agency in the dynamic