Someone wants to watch a horror; someone refuses to watch anything scary and there’s always that one person suggesting a film everyone has already seen. After 20 minutes of scrolling through Netflix, someone eventually gives in and presses play.
But maybe all that arguing is part of the fun.
We’re used to watching pretty much whatever we want, whenever we want. One flatmate might be watching Love Island in their bedroom while someone else is downstairs eating pesto pasta and endlessly doom scrolling. We all do it.
Despite all that choice, students are still coming back to simply sitting in the same room and watching a film together. It's that familiar family feeling everyone misses.
...switching off from the world is vital.
While everyone loves a good laugh and night out, brain rotting and just switching off from the world is vital. What’s the best way to do this without appearing like you’re boring and antisocial? Watching a good bit of TV with some friends.
Housemates climb around the sofa to get comfy; some sit on the floor, pizza boxes lay scattered across the table and yet somehow, our phones gradually disappear. Why is that happening exactly?
Well, one idea is that it’s much cheaper. Many students choose to go out with their mates and end up buying countless drinks and takeaway food that you definitely didn’t need. Whereas, by spending the odd night in front of the telly, you’re still able to spend time with others and just relax.
Every group of housemates ultimately end up with a ritual. Whether it’s always during dinner, once a week on a particular day or waiting for the last person to arrive before pressing play else it’s WWIII. Genres get banned, subtitles become controversial and there’s always that one person asking questions, even though everyone is also watching the same thing they are!
Of course, student film nights aren’t exactly the perfect cinema experience. Someone will check their phone. Another will talk over an important bit. Then a person will disappear to make food and come back asking, “Wait, what happened?”
This is just simply one of the easiest ways to build those friendships; an effortless form of socialising without all the elaborate plans and constant boozy nights out.
Undoubtably, the film matters, but I bet those choosing to sit and watch with you matter just a little more.