An Open Letter to Movie Watchers

Why talking during movies is not a bad thing.

By: Isabella Spitznagle

Growing up, movies at my house had to be watched in utter silence. I was shunned for saying a single word. But this didn’t stop me from blurting out whatever came to mind, whether it be crying out over the sheer destruction of the “Percy Jackson” movies, the killer double plot twist of “Knives Out,” or the foreshadowing throughout the “How to Train Your Dragon” trilogy. 

As I got older, I found friends who enjoyed talking through movies too. Suddenly I wasn’t threatened with being kicked out during movie night. They were more than happy to listen to my endless questions or analyze the developing plot over a bowl of popcorn. And trust me, I had a lot more fun shouting about the character development of Will Hunting or announcing how good the score of the newest “Avengers” movie was than I had with all of you “traditional” movie watchers. 

Maybe we’re movie nerds, but I doubt my friends and I are the only ones. All of us movie talkers have got to unite. I'm tired of being ostracized for my movie watching habits. What’s the point of watching a movie with other people if you’re going to spend two hours staring at a screen in silence? When movies were invented, they were less of a personal immersive experience and more of a social get-together. A movie can be so much more than an internal experience, so why do we scorn those who don’t comply?

Ultimately, while one might argue I’m paying less attention, I feel like my respect and understanding only grows with some healthy discussion. Opening up conversation allows us to understand how others are interpreting the movie and reacting along the way. Call it a socratic seminar; I don’t care. Movie night this weekend at my place, and don't worry, there will be discussion questions.