--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: With 'The Humans,' I've found that…" description: "\"With 'The Humans,' I've found that because it's related to very familiar forms - the family play and the thriller, almost a genre-collison play - some ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/674/stephen-karam-10010_blood_with-the-humans-i-ve-found-that-because_2129062.jpg" --- # With 'The Humans,' I've found that because it's related to… ![“With 'The Humans,' I've found that because it's related to very familiar forms - the family play and the thriller, almost a genre-collison play - some people want it to be one or the other. Either less dark and more of a family comedy or a full-fledged thriller with blood and ghosts jumping out of…” quote by Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/674/stephen-karam-10010_blood_with-the-humans-i-ve-found-that-because_2129062.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/674/stephen-karam-10010_blood_with-the-humans-i-ve-found-that-because_2129062.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/674/stephen-karam-10010_blood_with-the-humans-i-ve-found-that-because_2129062.jpg) > “With 'The Humans,' I've found that because it's related to very familiar forms - the family play and the thriller, almost a genre-collison play - some people want it to be one or the other. Either less dark and more of a family comedy or a full-fledged thriller with blood and ghosts jumping out of closets. Everyone's taste is different.” [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Audiences often try to fit a work into familiar categories, missing its hybrid nature. **In simple terms:** People want clear genre labels, but the play mixes family comedy and thriller. Key Takeaway Accept ambiguity and let the work stand on its own. Themes genre expectations audience perception theatrical hybrid creative risk Mood conflicted curious Type analytical reflective When to use this quote - theatre reviews - marketing - directorial decisions - writing workshops Key Concepts genre theory expectation management narrative blending Questions to Reflect On - How does blending genres affect audience engagement? - What expectations do you bring to a new play? A Different Perspective Some viewers may feel confused if expectations aren't met. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Genre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genre/) [Ghosts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghosts/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Thriller genre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thriller-genre/) ## Related quotes > [As far as writing and directing, I'm very focused on the thriller genre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-peele/as-far-as-writing-and-directing-i-m-very-focused-on-the-thriller-genre/) [Jordan Peele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-peele/) > [I love the thriller genre generally. I like murder mysteries and those kinds of adventure stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-love-the-thriller-genre-generally-i-like-murder-mysteries-and-those/) [Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/) > [The problem with me, as far as getting married and having a family, is that my comedy is so important to me. So I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-sandler/the-problem-with-me-as-far-as-getting-married-and-having-a-family-is/) [Adam Sandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-sandler/) > ['Hulchul' is a family comedy. You can call it 'humor around families.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyadarshan/hulchul-is-a-family-comedy-you-can-call-it-humor-around-families/) [Priyadarshan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyadarshan/) > [We're going to continue to focus on family comedies because that is something that our audience really comes to ABC for. But at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-dungey/we-re-going-to-continue-to-focus-on-family-comedies-because-that-is/) [Channing Dungey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-dungey/) > [I think women are different, and I think having them in the room is crucial to a family comedy, ensemble comedy, television comedy, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-harmon/i-think-women-are-different-and-i-think-having-them-in-the-room-is/) [Dan Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-harmon/) > [I would love to do more family comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-bamber/i-would-love-to-do-more-family-comedy/) [Jamie Bamber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-bamber/) > [The thriller genre in general, it's total foreign ground for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-aselton/the-thriller-genre-in-general-it-s-total-foreign-ground-for-me/) [Katie Aselton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-aselton/) > [Yes, to me that's one of the most compelling fears in film noir and the psychological thriller genre - that fear of conspiracy. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-nolan/yes-to-me-that-s-one-of-the-most-compelling-fears-in-film-noir-and/) [Christopher Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-nolan/) > [I made the decision that I didn't want to spend my life in rooms and write about rooms, or else make books that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-osborne/i-made-the-decision-that-i-didn-t-want-to-spend-my-life-in-rooms-and/) [Lawrence Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-osborne/) > [I love the horror genre and the thriller genre, so I've got no problem with playing a psycho.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valorie-curry/i-love-the-horror-genre-and-the-thriller-genre-so-i-ve-got-no-problem/) [Valorie Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valorie-curry/) > [This is not an international thriller so much as a fiercely literate attempt to subvert the thriller genre itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-rice/this-is-not-an-international-thriller-so-much-as-a-fiercely-literate/) [Christopher Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-rice/) > [I would love a little bit of a change. I feel so fortunate to have been able to work so much, particularly in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-panabaker/i-would-love-a-little-bit-of-a-change-i-feel-so-fortunate-to-have/) [Danielle Panabaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-panabaker/) > [“Thrillers, like all genre fiction, remain for the most part “beneath.” There is a feeling in literature, more than any other art form, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-lavender/thrillers-like-all-genre-fiction-remain-for-the-most-part-beneath/) Will Lavender > [With the police thriller genre, people come to it with an expectation. It allows you to get away with a bit of violence, edginess,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-mercurio/with-the-police-thriller-genre-people-come-to-it-with-an-expectation/) [Jed Mercurio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-mercurio/) ## More by Stephen Karam > [I've always viewed 'Sons of the Prophet' as the first part of a larger trilogy - not three plays dependent on each other but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/i-ve-always-viewed-sons-of-the-prophet-as-the-first-part-of-a-larger/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) > [Until I have a family or a mortgage, I'm trying to keep my lifestyle simple and my apartment affordable so that I can continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/until-i-have-a-family-or-a-mortgage-i-m-trying-to-keep-my-lifestyle/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) > [I worry that I will lose control over the projects I get to work on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/i-worry-that-i-will-lose-control-over-the-projects-i-get-to-work-on/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) > [I don't think I could write a good play if I was setting out to write about the death of the American middle class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/i-don-t-think-i-could-write-a-good-play-if-i-was-setting-out-to-write/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) > [Under Todd Haimes' leadership, Roundabout created a black-box theater whose sole mission was to house premieres by writers who are just starting out and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/under-todd-haimes-leadership-roundabout-created-a-black-box-theater/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) > [I didn't quite fit in in any particular, specific way. I was a gay teenager who was into drama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/i-didn-t-quite-fit-in-in-any-particular-specific-way-i-was-a-gay/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) > [I'm still learning so much with every play I write. So I wrestle with word choice, rhythm in final drafts. I think you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/i-m-still-learning-so-much-with-every-play-i-write-so-i-wrestle-with/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) > [I'm always very self-conscious and assume the way faith or religion might come up in my plays will seem very harsh to people of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/i-m-always-very-self-conscious-and-assume-the-way-faith-or-religion/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) > [To be totally honest, I thought I would have a Broadway debut in the distant, distant future, maybe in my 60s or 70s when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/to-be-totally-honest-i-thought-i-would-have-a-broadway-debut-in-the/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) > [Coming home for me isn't, like, one family dinner. It's about am I gonna see 50 relatives, or am I gonna see 85?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/coming-home-for-me-isn-t-like-one-family-dinner-it-s-about-am-i-gonna/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) > [When you're the artsy, weirdo, introverted outsider growing up, you don't fit into your community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/when-you-re-the-artsy-weirdo-introverted-outsider-growing-up-you-don/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) > [Writing plays for me is often an act of looking at basement-level fears in terms of where they come from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/writing-plays-for-me-is-often-an-act-of-looking-at-basement-level/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) > [I don't come from a family of artists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/i-don-t-come-from-a-family-of-artists/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) > [ Suddenly you're at church and you hear someone pray, "For gays and lesbians, that they might realize their \[sins\]…" That's happening less and less… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/suddenly-you-re-at-church-and-you-hear-someone-pray-for-gays-and/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) > [Janet Carroll and Robert Pine, Chris Pine's dad, were in my first play, and they were so astonishingly good, I felt it raised my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-karam/janet-carroll-and-robert-pine-chris-pine-s-dad-were-in-my-first-play/) [Stephen Karam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) [Explore all 68 Stephen Karam quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-karam/) ## More Blood quotes > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [Don't trust everyone, because one day you will shed tears of blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunshine/don-t-trust-everyone-because-one-day-you-will-shed-tears-of-blood/) [SunShine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunshine/) > [I have no intention of retiring. Even my blood sugar is better when I'm working.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-stritch/i-have-no-intention-of-retiring-even-my-blood-sugar-is-better-when-i/) [Elaine Stritch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-stritch/) > [What about you three, where are you going?" Even before Halt answered, Will knew what he was going to say. But that didn't make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/what-about-you-three-where-are-you-going-even-before-halt-answered/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [A day without blood is like a day without sunshine!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-lee-ermey/a-day-without-blood-is-like-a-day-without-sunshine/) [R. Lee Ermey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-lee-ermey/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“...I wore his blood for clothing, on my legs and thighs and hands: a dry, stiff, brown garment with no warmth in it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/i-wore-his-blood-for-clothing-on-my-legs-and-thighs-and-hands-a-dry/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [ T\]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dever/t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-building-it-s-not-a-preaching/) [Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-dever/) > [I don't think you should ever say, 'This is the last time'. Music isn't like that. You'll be sitting there not wishing to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-daltrey/i-don-t-think-you-should-ever-say-this-is-the-last-time-music-isn-t/) [Roger Daltrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-daltrey/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/i-think-cricket-is-there-in-usain-bolt-s-blood-since-i-got-to-watch/) [Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/) > [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [“The sun had burned through and the day had gone from dull to dazzling, yet in the west blask-satin thunderheads continued to stack up.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-sun-had-burned-through-and-the-day-had-gone-from-dull-to-dazzling/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) Browse all 6,234 Blood quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "With 'The Humans,' I've found that because it's related to very familiar forms - the family play and the thriller, almost a genre-collison play - some people want it to be one or the other. 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