The Death of Movie Theaters (for Me, at Least)

Well, it’s finally happened: I’m done with movie theaters. Last night was the nail in the coffin.

As someone who’s been fortunate enough to spend my career as a sound designer and sound effects editor — working on everything from big blockbusters to streaming shows — you’d think I’d be one of the first in line at the box office. But honestly, I rarely go anymore.

My girlfriend and I decided to make an exception last night, though. We both love horror films, especially James Wan’s Conjuring series, so we thought it would be fun to see the new installment on the big screen. The theater was in Burbank which is considered the media capital so I thought we'd be in good hands.

We booked great seats. Got there early. Settled in. For a brief moment, I thought:
This is going to be great.

Then it started. A late-arriving group filled the seats next to us — including a mid-30s man I’ll politely call “the manchild.” From the moment he sat down, it was chaos. He couldn’t sit still. He was leaning over talking, shifting, chatting with what looked like his mom and grandmother. He cracked open cans of Coke he’d smuggled in, spiked them with booze, tore into bags of chips (also smuggled in), and made trip after trip (4 total) for more nachos and jalapeño sauce. The smell followed him back each time. And of course, he randomly checked his phone — apparently tracking a boxing match.

It didn’t stop there. Somewhere else in the theater, another person actually took a phone call mid-movie until someone finally shouted at him.

Meanwhile, I’m sitting there thinking:
This is what it’s come to?

Tickets, popcorn, drinks — you’re in for well over $100 for two people. But it’s not even about the money. It’s about the complete lack of respect for the shared experience.

Everyone in that room had to drive there, pay to be there, set aside their night, all for the same reason: to watch a film in peace. And yet that basic courtesy has evaporated.

Phones glowing. People talking. Bags crinkling. Seats shifting.

The movie itself almost becomes background noise.

Halfway through, I slid into an empty seat on the other side of my girlfriend. That was the only way I could even attempt to enjoy the film. But the damage was done.

So here's the deal.

I’m done with public theaters. Unless it’s an industry screening — surrounded by colleagues who actually respect the craft and the experience — I won’t bother going anymore.

It’s not worth the hassle, the frustration, or the unpredictability of the audience.

The movies gave me so much, and I’ll always love the artform. But the theater experience? It's a sh*t show and until theaters can guarantee a consistently predictable enjoyable nondisruptive movie experience, that part of Hollywood is over for me.

I'll take my living room with my surround sound, flat screen and homemade popcorn over that nonsense every single time.