What kind of a moviegoer are you? Solo crusader Vs Part of the flock

Would you go to a movie alone? For some, it’s a treat. For others, it’s a test of courage. A viral tweet calling solo movie dates “a different level of lonely” sparked a wave of responses – revealing just how personal, powerful, and polarising the act of watching a film alone can be. So what type of a moviegoer are you – solo crusader or a part of the flick flock?
My real treat is going for a movie alone: Solo crusaders
Several moviegoers say that watching a movie alone for the first time may feel awkward - but once you do it, it’s a joy."
‘A film outing alone is like self-pamper’
Shreya Mallik, a moviegoer in her 20s, "My first solo movie was a Marvel movie. I watched it alone because my sister was in Mumbai and I was in Delhi. She pushed me to watch the movie alone and then we could discuss it together. From there on, I actually started going to movies alone and enjoyed it more than ever. I believe most movies are best experienced alone. To me, it is also like pampering myself."
‘Watching a film alone allows it to grow on you’
Moviegoers say that going to the movies alone hits different also because it goes against the unwritten code that says you’re not supposed to have fun by yourself.
Andrea Anastosia says going to movies with like-minded friends is a way of sharing life and reinforcing friendship, bonding or discovering things to disagree with, but going alone feels it’s a real treat. He says, "My real treat is going alone. I perceive watching movies like reading books. I never go to entertain myself (if I want to do that I have my tablet) but to ask my favourite film directors or actors to inspire me with insightful moments, mirroring myself in someone else’s story or experience. Going alone is also a way to stay with whatever the film triggers while walking back home, allowing the film to grow within and revealing all its contents.”
‘Every time I was in the hall, I forgot about my breakup’
Another moviegoer, Sneha Bathija, in her 40s, shares,"I first went to a movie alone after my break-up. It was only because I’d seen actors doing this in films, and because it helps you get over pain, that you can forget everything for a while. I kept going to the movies alone for three months, and every time I was in the cinema hall, I forgot about the break-up for that little while. I got over that boy in three or four months. But even two decades later, I’m still not over watching movies alone. My family often complains that I make my movie plans without them, and when they do, I ask them to tag along. But I still end up planning my movie dates alone, and I tell everyone to try it.”

Why would I even go to a movie alone?, say moviegoers who love to be a part of the flock
Moviegoers say asking for 'just one ticket, please' at the box-office counter feels like you can practically hear the unspoken, “I have no friends, judge me.” It's a version of walk of shame, they say.
Vidushi Sharma, a cinephile in her early 20s, says, "I’ve never been able to work up the nerve to see a movie alone. I just don’t have it in me. The idea of being surrounded by happy faces in a dark theatre who have company and I don’t, it’s just uncomfortable. I’ve been told to try it even if just once. My answer? ‘If I have to watch alone, I’ll just stream it. No movie is worth going alone to cinema'."
She’s not alone in that. Ashwin Bhat, 25 who works in a production house, says,"Even bad movies feel good when I’m watching with my people. I’ve never liked going alone. The fun’s in the banter, the shared popcorn, the post-movie debrief. Watching is just part of it. The shared experience is what really makes it memorable.”

Okay with going to movies alone, not okay with being judged: Moviegoers
Several moviegoers say that going to movies alone is not an issue for them, but how others may perceive them is.
‘When I go to a movie alone, people look at me like I’ve been stood up’
Ritambhara Sinha, who is in her early 40s, says she doesn’t like missing movies in the absence of company but would still rather skip a show than go alone.
She says,“I’m okay with going to the movies alone. What I’m not okay with is being judged for not having enough loved ones. I’ve seen people alone, and honestly, I’ve felt bad for them. Whenever I see someone alone in a cinema hall, I just assume they don’t have anyone who agreed to come along. For me, a movie’s a date, a movie is a group outing with friends or family. I want to talk while watching, whisper reactions, share a slice of pizza. Going alone feels pointless.”
Moviegoers admit to feeling a little guilty about their own snap judgments.
“I always feel sad when I see someone watching a movie alone. Like, good for them - but also, like - I hope they’re okay," says Sumedha Jain, a moviegoer in her 30s.
Another moviegoer Kshitiz Singh shares,"It has often happened with me when I went for a movie and I’ve been looked at like I’ve been stood up. Not just by strangers, but by cinema staff. Like airlines, in cinema when you are alone, nobody asks you to change the seat, but there's that sympathetic look. All because I’m alone. I've seen more women than men watching films alone, actually."
‘I never go with my colleagues to a movie because I don’t want to be judged’
Another moviegoer says she avoids going with coworkers because she doesn’t want to be seen wiping away tears.
Safia Sadaf, a moviegoer in her late 30s, says,"There are films I want to watch with friends, and films that I want to watch alone. For instance, I have a different set of friends with whom I'll go for something like Barbie, a different group for Marvel movies. And then there are films like A Complete Unknown, where I won’t even go with someone. But as a rule, I never go with my colleagues for a movie because I don’t want to be judged for wiping away tears.”
‘When I go to a movie alone, people look at me like I’ve been stood up’
Another moviegoer Kshitiz Singh shares, “It’s happened to me often when I go to a movie alone, people look at me like I’ve been stood up. Not just by strangers, but by cinema staff. Like airlines, in the cinema when you are alone, nobody asks you to change the seat, but there’s that sympathetic look All because I’m alone. I’ve seen more women than men watching films alone, actually.”
New in cinema - Solo seating option?
Premium cinemas that once only offered couple’s recliners are now starting to introduce solo seating too. A staff member of a multiplex chain says, “Solo moviegoers in recliner seats often feel awkward because of double seats. And in most screenings, there are a number of solo moviegoers. So, we thought of coming up with solo seats too.”