The COVID-19 Theater Experience

Going to the movies was always special for me. Even in contemporary times, where more viewers are inclined to watch films from their own devices, nothing could replace the trek to the theaters for me. The anticipation, followed by a complete immersion unachievable anywhere else, and the euphoria after stepping out into the lights outside.  

In 2019, I had this experience a total of 11 times, a new record for me. Last year was one of the greatest and most exciting years I can remember for movies - there were so many released that I could not bear waiting to see. So, whenever possible, I made my way to the theaters, whether it was for the blockbuster-juggernaut Avengers: Endgame, the film-buff’s sweetheart Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, or the indie ‘gem’ Uncut Gems. 

This January, I saw 1917, after it was finally released in the U.S. 

And I never went back.

The COVID-19 pandemic was already making catastrophic waves, slowly weaving its way around the world. Although there were growing murmurs of possible school closures and the cancellation of major events such as the Boston Marathon, I never considered its impact on the film industry. Yet this was quickly realized when the release of the newest Bond film, No Time to Die, was delayed until November due to the pandemic. I knew that other movies would follow suit, even if somehow movie theaters remained open. This thought became a reality in March when the virus started to take its toll in theaters across the US, already hit by steadily-declining box office sales, and closures - many for good. The possibility of a widespread reopening is uncertain, due to the drastically different approaches to handling the pandemic by state governments.

As of September, 36 states have opened their theaters, according to Indiewire. Restrictions and regulations set in indoor cinemas vary by state. An example is auditorium capacity; some states are operating at 50% capacity, whereas others, (such as Georgia and Ohio), are allowed to have any number of patrons as long as six-feet social distancing is possible.

Since theaters in most states have been authorized to reopen, the issue theaters are facing has shifted from when or how to open, to which films can be screened. The pandemic caused movies from around the globe to experience a delayed-release or go to VOD and streaming platforms instead. Theaters are currently showing new titles such as The New Mutants, Unhinged, The Personal History of David Copperfield, alongside screenings of previously released films. 

However, the future of the box office in a COVID world relies heavily on one film in particular: Tenet. The highly-anticipated film by Christopher Nolan, whose filmmaking style has evolved into creating grand visual-audio spectacles, was delayed three times since its original date of July 17th. The movie was finally released in various states on September 3rd, and is not yet available on VOD.

Movie theaters in Massachusetts, where I live, opened in August, despite being authorized to open since July. Massachusetts permits up to 25 people per enclosed space, around 40% of auditorium capacity. So, after an eight-month-long hiatus from the movie theaters, I decided to see Tenet. 

As I was booking the tickets, I noticed that the number of unavailable seats, especially for a blockbuster, was much lower than what it was like before the pandemic. To ensure encountering the least amount of people, I went to the latest screening my local theater offered, which was now 9 p.m. 

Stepping into the theater this time was a totally different experience. There was such a profound emptiness in the lobby, usually bustling with people, even at night. Cinema employees, previously scattered around the building, were all positioned in the front, scanning movie tickets in a socially-distanced, cautious manner. I thought temperature checks would be carried out, but this was not the case.

In terms of the regulations, masks were required in order to enter the building, (thankfully this is common in closed spaces in Massachusetts). Outside food and drinks were not permitted and there were no concessions available, to minimize the likelihood of someone removing a mask. Hand sanitizer dispensers were placed on every corner in the building.

The theater where Tenet was showing was also mostly vacant. I noted the number of people already inside and the people who arrived after me - it was a low number of eight. No one else was sitting in the aisle where I was. This was quite shocking for a summer movie on its opening weekend. 

Although there is a risk of being in enclosed spaces for a long period of time, I was not as afraid as I thought I would be. The regulations, the low number of attendees, and the wide space put me slightly more at ease. 

While I was still able to enjoy the experience of watching the movie, it is virtually impossible to not take the virus and the risk into consideration. Going to the movies might have been an accessible pastime to do before the pandemic, but now, prior research into the showtime, theater rules, city, and even the current coronavirus statistics of your state, are all necessary before making the decision to attend.

With streaming making it easier to view movies at home, and finally convincing distribution giants to accept it as a viable way of releasing their movies, people are not necessarily missing much from skipping the theaters. Although, I still feel that the best way to see a movie is through the big screen, if possible. That said, I also do not believe in doing anything that could possibly be a high-risk situation. There will be a time, in the future, where the theaters will be packed with movie-goers again. As of now, movie-goers can treat this time as an intermission.