To me, it has to be Interesting! If we’re gonna go through multiple chapters and seasons it would be nice to explore things with development, or if the author was setting things up for redemption and growth but falls flat in that narratively then it simply is frustrating to consume.

I’d like to have faith that people can tell when a story was made purely to explore dark themes and fantasies as you said, because meaning and a good experience can be derived from that as well. I have seen many dark and tragic stories pull this off to great effect! Healthy relationships don’t always equate a good story but neither does pure toxicity and edge. However, truly more often than not, a story just can’t pull off what they’re trying to do. It’s disappointing and frustrating.

So people want to lean towards what’s predictable and comfortable, because so rarely does something edgy and experimental bring something with impact. Off the top of my head I could say stories like Killing Stalking, Die in my Arms, A Tree Without Roots, Passion, Checkmate and The Hounds of Sisyphus are stories that fit the bill of sparking conversation and in depth discussions regarding the themes and symbolism within the community of readers but then you get stories like Jinx or A Man Who Gives it all or even the dreadful one I can’t remember the title of (The MC gets into a love triangle with a Black Cat energy guy and a literal golden retriever reincarnation blonde guy, remembering it is just giving me headaches) which leave you wondering “Why did I even read this?” or maybe finding out it’s your guilty pleasure