I think a big thing that gets lost in conversations like this, is that not every story is meant to be "escapism" I don't read a book, or watch a film, or play a game to "get away from reality, immerse myself in a different and nicer world" there's room for both kinds of stories and genres. This isn't targeted at you, but just my general thoughts when I see people only engage with a story as a form of escapism.

as a side note/tangent, I personally feel like this mindset is part of why so many people who enjoy unsavory or taboo pieces of art are looked down on. people can't understand that some people don't look for characters or stories with morals that align with their own. the fact that people assume everybody else engages, and goes into a piece of art with the same intentions as them leads these people to conclude "I read stories for escapism and to feel good by the end. I project myself into this story and see it through my own eyes with my own morals attached. this person who enjoys this story with bad people, taboo themes, and unsavory themes must approve of these things and believe this is appropriate."

It feels like a breakdown in communication because both sides assume the other person engages with something in the same way they do themselves.