Q&A: Seeing Movies Alone
I can easily recall all the movies I have seen by myself. Winter’s Bone (2010) and The Eagle (2011). Two films, that’s it. For the longest of time, I never dared venturing into the movie theater all by myself. I have always wondered why I thought it would be awkward to see a movie alone. Like going out to dinner alone, is there an unwritten rule that says this is against societal norm. Of course not. Hence, I was most definitely intrigued by Chris Le’s article for The Atlantic entitled “In Defense of Seeing Movies Alone.” Most specifically, he wonders:
It got me thinking: In today’s highly individualized zeitgeist why is the loner—the isolated movie watcher, in particular—synonymous with “pathetic” and “loser”? If, say, you were in a theater and saw someone flanked by empty chairs, would you feel pity? Condescension? Would you nudge your companion to join in teasing?
Okay, you might not go that far. But you might just think, “I would never watch a movie alone.”
Why?
The question of the week is: Do you go to the movies alone? And do you feel there a stigma with doing so?
Discuss in the comments below. I’m most definitely interested in your opinion.
The question of the week is an opportunity for you to open up and reveal more about yourself and your movie taste. Have a question you would like us and the readers to answer? Don’t hesitate to Email Me
83 Comments
I ‘fart in the general direction’ of anyone who thinks going to the cinema alone is “taboo”. That opinion is antiquated and the reserve of those who don’t like their own company. I’ve never been ashamed of seeing movies alone and I never will be! I used to go to the cinema by myself most of the time when I was a student. Now that I’m married I usually go with my wife but there is just something about seeing a film on your own, without a viewing companion that makes the movie an altogether different experience. A person who can go to the cinema alone can stand up tall, look themselves in the mirror and say, ‘You may think I’m a loner but I not the only one!’ Having said that I know a guy who avoids seeing matinees of kids films alone. He says it probably looks a bit a creepy.
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