There’s No Such Thing as an Action Story

When it comes to storytelling, it’s easy to lump certain elements—like action—into their own genre. But here’s the thing: a genre isn’t just a grab bag of narrative tools or flashy moments. It’s about delivering a specific emotional or intellectual experience to the audience. And while action might be exciting as hell, it doesn’t stand on its own as a genre. Instead, it’s a tool—a way to crank up the intensity in stories that are already rooted in something deeper.

Action Isn’t the Destination

Action is a delivery system. A car chase, a fight scene, or a massive explosion can make you sit up and pay attention, sure. But what makes those moments stick? It’s the context. The stakes, the characters, the story surrounding it—that’s where the emotional punch comes from. Action by itself? It’s just noise.

Think about it. A high-stakes brawl in a thriller feels dangerous and nerve-wracking because the stakes are life and death. That same brawl in an adventure story feels heroic and bold, part of an epic journey. The action’s there to enhance the emotional experience—it’s not the main event.

Action is Everywhere

One of the biggest reasons action doesn’t hold up as its own genre is because it’s everywhere. You’ll find action in thrillers, adventures, crime dramas, even comedies. But just because it’s present doesn’t mean it defines the story.

Here’s what I mean:

• In a thriller, action adds urgency and amps up the danger.

• In an adventure, it’s part of the journey, giving you those big, exciting moments.

• In a crime drama, action might show up in a climactic showdown, driving home themes of justice or revenge.

• In a comedy, action is often exaggerated or absurd, used for laughs instead of tension.

It’s adaptable. It’s everywhere. But it’s not what defines the story’s core.

Genres Are About the Feels

Let’s break it down. Genres work because they promise a specific emotional or intellectual experience:

• Mystery keeps you intrigued, solving puzzles and unraveling clues.

• Romance delivers connection and all the feels, from joy to heartbreak.

• Thriller keeps you on edge, full of tension and suspense.

Action? It doesn’t promise a consistent emotional payoff. A fight scene can be thrilling, tense, or even funny, depending on the story. It’s a spice, not the main dish.

Action-Heavy Stories Are Already Covered

You don’t need to list action as a genre because it’s already baked into others. Thrillers, adventures, and crime dramas all lean heavily on action to keep things moving. They use it as a tool to deliver the experience those genres promise.

For example:

• Military thrillers and spy thrillers thrive on action, but the real draw is the tension and high stakes.

• Adventure stories are loaded with action, but it’s the sense of journey and discovery that keeps you hooked.

• Crime dramas often feature intense confrontations, but the emotional weight comes from themes like justice, morality, or personal redemption.

By keeping action as part of these genres, you’re giving it purpose. Isolating it would just make things messy and redundant.

The Danger of Shallow Storytelling

Here’s another issue with treating action like its own genre: it can lead to empty storytelling. If the focus is all action, all the time, the deeper emotional and thematic layers can get lost. A fight scene only hits hard when you care about the people involved and understand the stakes. Without that foundation, it’s just a bunch of noise.

By keeping action tied to other genres, you’re ensuring it stays grounded. It’s there to elevate the story, not replace it.

Wrapping It Up

Action is awesome. It’s exciting, dynamic, and can elevate any story when used right. But it’s not a genre. It’s a tool, a technique, a way to amp up the energy and stakes in a story that’s already anchored in something meaningful. By treating action as part of other genres, you’re keeping storytelling focused and purposeful.

So, next time you’re tempted to slap “action” on a story’s genre label, think about what’s really driving the narrative. Chances are, it’s something bigger than just the explosions and car chases.