Adam your horror story is precisely what I was always afraid about with jumping into film, and thus why I have always stayed a digital shooter.

I do however shoot almost exclusively with vintage lenses on my mirrorless cameras to try and get that unique character. Maybe that would be a good future compromise for you as well?

Btw I recently wrote an article about my favorite vintage lenses, check it out?

https://elijahmakesphotos.medium.com/my-top-5-vintage-lenses-9569e1e14961