Unpopular Opinions: Movies are better enjoyed alone

BY DARIAN SABLON

Humans are social creatures.

People crave the company of others when doing social activities that are not meant to be done by a single person, like going out to a restaurant or visiting the mall. Going to the movies alone, for instance, isn’t something considered socially acceptable, and someone who does go to the movies alone is generally regarded as a loser. The reality is that going to the movies as a party of one is not as bad as people may think – in fact, there are numerous benefits to going alone that outweigh any potential drawbacks.

In a study done by researchers Rebecca Ratner and Rebecca Hamilton, the majority of people refuse to go to activities like the movies alone, due to the fear that people will judge them in a negative light. This is a psychological phenomenon known as the spotlight effect. According to social psychologist Nathan Heflick, the spotlight effect refers to a tendency for a person think that people notice something about them more than they actually do. The reality is that people really don’t care; they likely have more important things to worry about than someone who decided to take a solo trip to watch a movie. Few people will think twice about an unaccompanied stranger when the Avengers are saving the world on the big screen.

Going alone to the theater can also do wonders for the film-viewing experience. When people go with a friend or partner, especially as teenagers, they often don’t pay that much attention to the actual movie. This takes away from the whole spectacle that is a feature film.

What most people take for granted is that movies have not been around for that long. The first “movie” was made in the early 1900s, and the very first movie theater was established in 1905. People during this time were completely enchanted with the phenomenon of movies, but nowadays,  film often isn’t as appreciated. Instead, it’s common practice to bring people along to fill the two hours with chatter, and the film goes ignored. This isn’t to say that going alone to the movies is a must in order to enjoy it; going with someone else has the potential to enhance the experience. However, being solo can really aid viewers in appreciating it more than they would’ve otherwise.

There’s also the fact that doing things alone can really help the mind.

“Being by yourself…gives you the chance to clear your mind, focus and think more clearly; it’s an opportunity to revitalize your mind and body at the same time,” psychologist Sherrie Bourg Carter stated.

Teenagers are expected to juggle a lot, whether it’s extracurriculars, classes, homework, jobs or hanging out with friends. In all that frenzy, we can easily become exhausted. Doing things alone, like going to the movies, can help relax the mind and give it a chance to breathe, creating a focus on personal needs.

It’s time to realize that going to the movies and having fun does not necessarily mean bringing a number two. Sometimes,  it can mean just sitting alone with a jumbo popcorn, soda and candy in hand, while enjoying the miraculous moving pictures that cost $10 a ticket.

Photo by The Lariat photography