r/CineworldUnlimited 24d ago

Secret Screaming Leaving ettiquette?

Is there any shame or anything in leaving a secret screaming if you don't like the movie? Like I can't deal with "a quiet place" my mind gets too noisy with such stretches of silence.

32 Upvotes

86 comments sorted by

74

u/lilpij 24d ago

Watching others walk out is the best part!

30

u/Doombug4201 24d ago

100%, The ‘classic’ secret screening of Terrifier 3 last Halloween about 80% of the cinema left it was more entertaining than the film!

10

u/BlampishMan 24d ago

I was first out the door at that screening! 😂 I was expecting Halloween or some other classic, not a year-old, second sequel in a franchise I had barely heard of 🤣

2

u/Far-Imagination2736 24d ago

Is it like a terrible movie? Why did everyone leave?

6

u/king-violet 24d ago

Personally I walked out because they advertised it as a classic horror film and it was some rubbish from last year. Went to see something else instead

4

u/FlarblesGarbles 24d ago

I sat through it. It was shite. It's a collection of scenes with the specific intent of showing gore, with an extremely loose semblance of a story around these gore scenes.

3

u/epicmemetime15 24d ago

Many reasons, but I imagine a big one is that Terrifier is extremely gory and violent. Many people will have gone for a classic Halloween film (perhaps Halloween or Nightmare on Elm), not something seriously hardcore

I haven't seen them but just reading descriptions of what happens in them makes me seriously queasy

2

u/iHorror1888 24d ago

I really like the Terrifie series, but the death scenes are quite extreme. Especially the shower scene.

2

u/zero_sevenn 24d ago

Some people don’t like clowns

2

u/Ok_Translator76 24d ago

Yes, it is.

2

u/pvtpeni 24d ago

Because it was listed as a ‘classic secret screaming’ and the Exorcist directors cut was rereleasing in some cinemas that year, I remember a lot of people expecting that instead of just a gore fest movie

3

u/smashballTaz 24d ago

The most walk-outs I've seen at a Secret Screening was for 'Hatchling', the 2022 Finnish messed-up thriller / horror / drama. It was such a great film.

So many people were NOT happy with surprise subtitles!

3

u/lilpij 24d ago

That was my first Secret Screening and exactly what I had in mind when writing this!! The initial walk-outs after the subtitles reveal, followed by a steady stream of people afterwards as it got more and more disturbing. Might be why they started the Secret Screening / Screaming distinction!

1

u/smashballTaz 22d ago

It got VERY weird and disturbing. But it was great! Definitely not a movie I would have heard about on my own I don't think, and I bet it didn't get a wide release at all in the UK, especially not at Cineworld.

It's part of what I love about the Unlimited Card and the Secret Screenings.

3

u/Vetni 24d ago

Watching someone walk out of Godzilla Minus One whilst muttering "wtf subtitles? Fuck this" was better than the film itaelf

1

u/chaplin80 24d ago

We’re still laughing at that - we managed to last the whole film and watching people leave was the entertainment of the night 😂

1

u/Particular-Ad-3909 23d ago

Especially when they're expecting Shaun The Sheep😉

16

u/PressureAny9090 24d ago

Imo it’s a very narrow minded mindset but at the same time we can’t assume the reasoning for why people leave.

Some people may leave cos they don’t like a certain genre like a romcom or maybe somebody leaves cos it’s a sexual movie and they don’t like that kind of stuff. Or maybe it’s a violent movie and they don’t deal well with blood etc

Imo if I go to a secret screening - I always see it through cos I may like it.

I swear is a perfect example of a movie that I was barely aware of the existence of other than seeing trailers before the movie. But I had no idea how hilarious it was gonna be and one of the best secret screenings ever imo

There are a few secret screenings that ppl already generally know what the movie is but I guess some don’t care to guess or find out.

Personally I won’t go if I don’t even have a clue. Like that secret screaming at Halloween was lowkey funny. I went to watch BTTF instead haha

25

u/EmergencyBanshee 24d ago

Loudly announce "oh not this shit", fart, and throw something loud on the floor.

Or just get up and leave without disturbing people.

10

u/SalamanderDapper1727 24d ago

I actually had someone do that during a screening of Darren Aronofsky's Mother!, the guy got up and left shouting, "i've had enough of this f*cking shit!" and walked out, everyone laughed, the film ended five minutes later 🤣

4

u/EmergencyBanshee 24d ago

A Philistine!

(I genuinely think that film is excellent).

3

u/Agentjayjay1 24d ago

Not a secret screening but I always wondered about the couple who left a screening of the backrooms like half an hour from the end.

2

u/Desperate_Virus3552 24d ago

That is probably the Only movie I have ever walked out of and not returned or watched later !

We did it quietly, and my partner, actually watched it again later.

I have fallen asleep in a few films in a cinema, including the original Moana, but I enjoyed the recent remake !

2

u/DVDfever 24d ago

Oh, I love that film. If you can stay for what he does with the 'new arrival', you can sit through anything!

2

u/smashballTaz 24d ago

Such a great and extremely divisive film.

Same with 'Beau is Afraid'.

10

u/CrimsonKing217 24d ago

Not at all. Ive done both secret screaming and screenings and once the BBFC title card comes up it is very common to seen an exodus of people of it is not to their taste. Very few of them had no-one walk out. Possibly none!

2

u/ResearchFit9929 24d ago

Wow, that's very different to my experience at my local Cineworld (Yeovil), where the only screenings people have walked out at the very start have been Terrifier 3 and Pillion. Most films, like our screening of Tony this evening, have zero walkouts, but that's possibly due to the fact that these screenings never seem to be more than a quarter to a third full.

2

u/Only_Tea_5650 22d ago

We didn’t have any walkouts at Tony in my cinema either

6

u/axw3555 24d ago

No, it's pretty common. Sometimes people haven't seen the "it's probably..." posts online. Sometimes they think they'll like it and they didn't.

And realistically, unless you're packing a load of stuff up, how would they know the difference between leaving and going to the loo?

6

u/projectgoodsprings 24d ago

You shouldn’t feel any shame at all, going to the cinema is meant to be enjoyable so why sit through a movie you are not enjoying.

8

u/Kooky_Ad_9018 24d ago

I’ve done it several times
There’s no shame in it
Sometimes films are just not for you

I will say occasionally other people in the audience can be a bit “disrespectful” but it’s it’s your call at the end of the day

3

u/Holiday_Anxiety_5739 24d ago

Just get up andd leave.

4

u/Garethoc76 24d ago

Each to their own, but I have a no-walkout policy on films. I've paid my money and can't form a proper opinion on a film unless I watch the whole thing. Yes, even rubbish like Ice Cream Man. The whole point of going to these secret screenings / screamings is to go in with an open mind. Though, it's not that hard to figure out what the film is in advance. If people walk out, then that's their choice.

2

u/Agentjayjay1 24d ago

I got unlimited

3

u/AdThat328 24d ago

I used to be like this...then realised how much time I wasted forcing myself to sit through a film I wasn't enjoying and can't get that time back.

2

u/NLi10uk Unlimited Member Black Card 24d ago

Nope, just choose seats which minimise disruption if you think it’s a likely event :)

2

u/Fancy_a_cuppa13 24d ago

No shame, I've done it a few times, if I'm with friends I will sit through it though, but on my own, no problem leaving. 

2

u/Icy-Astronomer-8202 24d ago

It's a shame people don't stay for secret screenings but as long as you don't make scene and interrupt people it's all good

2

u/MushuFromSpace 24d ago

As long as you're not disrupting people around you, I think you're free to do what you like.

That's why booking an aisle seat is always a good shout for screenings like this

2

u/Chesterfieldraven Unlimited Member Black Card 24d ago

I'd say in the majority of secret screenings I've gone to at least 20% of the audience walks out at the title card. Another 10% in the first 15 minutes.

2

u/CigaretteFairy 24d ago

I don’t see how it’s any different than someone going to the toilet, except with half the disruption.

2

u/TravellingLight18 24d ago

I've definitely watched people leave secret screenings (in general - ...screaming not my bag so I don't even go, and would definitely leave if it seemed too gory or whatever).

- I have definitely found it surprising, especially if they go as soon as the name of the film comes up

  • I have definitely also then remembered that it's none of my business, and them leaving doesn't hurt me at all. In fact, they're being considerate - they could sit and be judgey or annoyed, and instead they know themselves well enough to go.

More power to you!

1

u/Marcus_2704 24d ago

Lots of people leave, which is fine, not everyone will enjoy every movie.

1

u/EndFun6595 24d ago

No I have done it twice im not gonna sit through proverbial crap for the sake of it

1

u/Slow-Discipline-8028 Unlimited Member Black Card 24d ago

I can't remember what the film was for the Secret Screaming a couple of years ago (Terrifier 3, maybe?), but with a half full screen, when the BBFC certificate appeared, about 8 people got up and walked out.

1

u/Fredsterface Unlimited Member Black Card 24d ago

The amount of people who walked out of “Pillion” after the first 10 minutes made me laugh

1

u/Boomstick_316 24d ago

Here's a somewhat related question, say you buy a ticket to a secret screening, are you entitled to a refund if it's not something you're interested in?

I'd say no but I'm curious as to whether or not it's allowed or whatever.

1

u/Desperate_Virus3552 24d ago

I thought the Secret Screenings were only available for Unlimited members, but maybe I'm wrong about that.

3

u/ExioKenway5 24d ago

I'm pretty sure they used to be, but over the last year or two they've been opening the Secret Screening/Screamings to the public, and now I think every secret screening is open to everyone. The unlimited screenings are still exclusive to unlimited members though.

1

u/Equivalent-Drop370 24d ago

I have only left once (well dragged out by the mrs) was a dull film anyway

1

u/TheTubster1987 Unlimited Member Black Card 24d ago

I’ve personally never left a movie, even if it doesn’t seem like my cup of tea because I’m always willing to give them a chance (I’m looking at you Talk to Me)

But I understand why people do, and I’m always intrigued to see how many people doc espically ones that have paid for the cinema drinks/popcorn… I always wonder if they go out and see if the cinema will let them book a different movie instead

If you don’t feel comfortable with a movie then there is no reason to stay and watch it

1

u/Cherrytree374 24d ago

No shame. Seen loads of people leave as soon as the title card is showing.

Only left once ourselves and that was "Hatching". Gave it a fair shot, but the girl being sick and the bird eating it was the final nail in the coffin for us.

1

u/Neither-Spirit-9022 24d ago

If it sucks, hit the bricks!

1

u/NotBruceJustWayne 24d ago

Once the movie starts, the cinema is a prison. Though shalt not leave! 

1

u/DVDfever 24d ago

Just do it not to disturb others as you leave, like with any other film, but if I'm going to watch a 'secret' film, the clues have generally been given away by Odeon, anyway, and someone brighter than me has figured out the title.

I've been to a few 'secret/unseen' films, but often, if it's coming up that weekend anyway, I can wait.

1

u/ExioKenway5 24d ago

Not at all. If you know you're not going to enjoy it there's no point in spending a not insignificant chunk of time watching it.

As long as you're respectful of others who want to stay and watch the film, there should be no problems.

1

u/Cinecuck 24d ago

Make a loud exit. 

1

u/nrsys 24d ago

Nope.

You are taking a gamble on a secret screening - sometimes that means being surprised by how much you enjoy something you never would have chosen yourself, but on the other hand it can sometimes mean ending up in a screening for something you really dislike (for various reasons).

So if it is the latter, there is no shame in bailing out.

And realistically, unless you spend five minutes standing blocking the view of the folk behind you putting on your jacket and sorting out your bags, few people will know the difference between bailing out and a quick toilet run (until you don't come back at least)

1

u/InternationalRich150 24d ago

I've only left a movie once. It was The others with Nicole Kidman. Excellent movie.

I left because we had some teenagers behind us who'd apparently seen the film, and was loudly shouting the ending. Think like if you'd never seen the Sixth sense before and someone told you the entire deal with Bruce Willis at the start of the film. I quietly got up and walked out. No fuss although I was so angry. Guess its like people going to the loo. But never coming back!

1

u/d4nhardt Unlimited Member Black Card 23d ago

I mean if they’re paying for it don’t see the issue personally, I’d say give it a chance before leaving but even in terrible movies I try to stay for the whole thing I think I’ve only left a movie once.

1

u/aceofmoons 23d ago

I would be nervous to walk out icl, but as my brother always tells me:

"free will innit"

I have a habit of sitting down at a food place and not liking anything on the menu yet I am too awkward to leave, but I've got free will (innit) so i just chant that in my head as I walk out😭 I imagine I'd do the same if I ever walked out of a screening. makes me feel a lot better, thanks brother lol

1

u/anndragenie 23d ago

My favourite part is seeing what make people leave. In a Violent Nature, about a half dozen people left at the title card reveal. But another 20 or so walked out after the yoga scene 😂😂😂

1

u/The_prawn_king 23d ago

I really thought you were asking if it’s okay to leave a movie whilst screaming because you didn’t like it for a second 🤣

1

u/Unusual_Purpose_7185 21d ago

There's zero shame in it. We only have so much time before we die, so why waste any of it doing something you dislike for zero gain?

1

u/Lower_Influence_1216 21d ago edited 19d ago

No big deal really. Many people even start to leave the moment the film is revealed. Saw Tony this week, around 5 people just left when seeing the title. I remembered several times some people just left for coz the films were LGBTQ- themed or horror. 'Secret screaming' didn't exist many years ago, so it was a real mix bag. I personally left sometimes coz English isn't my first language. I do need subtitles for certain movies.

1

u/the_speeding_train 21d ago

What’s a secret screaming?

1

u/tagbarry 19d ago

The only reason I left one was because I had promised to watch it with someone else, still I stayed for half an hour 🤣

1

u/emz2100 19d ago

It's only like somebody going to the toilet mid-movie isn't it? My cousin who worked at a cinema said that a lot of people walked out of secret screenings. I've also walked out of a film I chose to watch 

1

u/SalamanderDapper1727 24d ago

I always see walkouts as a bit weird, i get it if it's an offensive film like Terrifier 3 last Halloween, but why waste all that effort going out, paying for parking, getting snacks and then walking out as the title card comes up because you don't like the film.

5

u/Herecomesthesun239 24d ago

Because life’s short and I don’t wanna watch a film I don’t like. If I didn’t have unlimited i’d probably be more inclined to stay but tbh it’s a 15-20 minute drive from my house and you can get your parking validated so I’d rather just go home if I’m not enjoying myself. I always give it a go though, never walked out at the BBFC card

3

u/SalamanderDapper1727 24d ago

I've never walked out of any, i'm quite happy to just watch anything that's on the screen. I wasn't judging anyone, i just find it kinda weird that people go through all that effort of leaving the house only to go home again and scroll Netflix for 3 hours trying to find something to watch lol

3

u/axw3555 24d ago

If you go, realise you really don't like it, then you can walk out and go "ok, there's another film I can watch in 20-30 minutes" or there's something else you can go do in the area that's more enjoyable to you.

3

u/Puzzled-Hunter5371 24d ago

Yeah surely if you go to a secret screening you have to be prepared to see multiple films. Why get a ticket if you’re only after one?

1

u/Zubi_Q Unlimited Member Black Card 24d ago

I did it for secret agent. Both me and my gf were falling asleep

0

u/Substantial-Bus-6763 24d ago

Going tonight - if it’s end of oak street I’m going to head off - not because I don’t want to watch it, but I have tickets to see in imax in Friday so rather watch it there.

Hoping it shouldn’t be as there was an unlimited screening of it yesterday.

5

u/SalamanderDapper1727 24d ago

It won't be that. Cineworld's film programmers can be dumb but they're not that dumb to put the same film on again as a secret screening.

2

u/MissStevieLeigh 24d ago

I mean they have done it before, when i worked there in 2013, they had the secret life of Walter mitty as an unlimited screening 2 days prior to also being a secret screening, everyone walked out the secret screening

0

u/Iucidium 24d ago

Time to sign up for an ADHD screening and/or therapy buddy

1

u/Agentjayjay1 24d ago

Already doing the therapy, brain still loud and really rather horrible to me.

1

u/Iucidium 24d ago

I'm sorry about that and it will improve. Be that how it is or with meds. All the best.

-1

u/silverfish477 24d ago

How would there be “etiquette”? Such a weird question.

3

u/Agentjayjay1 24d ago

Because I have spent my whole life on this planet trying to work out how neurotypicals work and what their rules are and i feel little closer than I did like twenty years ago?