Were you expecting River?
I’m going to come out and say it: I don’t care about spoilers. In fact, in many instances I’ve actively sought them out. I’ll guarantee you, my enjoyment of things doesn’t go down because of this.
Wait, but how could that be?
Let me talk about my old movie viewing habits. For a long time, there were a handful of movies I watched at least once a month. They included things like A Knight’s Tale, V For Vendetta, and at least one Star Wars film.
I continued to watch these films, over and over again, even though I could recite most of them from memory. There was something to them beyond the knowledge of them that affected my enjoyment from them.
Then there are some movies I’ve seen once, and wouldn’t watch again. I’ll admit there are films that I was told the plot, and decided not to see them, regardless of how well they were received. M. Night Shyamalan anyone?
To me, a great story is going to be worth hearing a second time. And a third. Sometimes, it’s because our own experiences color the story itself, so experience it with new eyes gives us a fresh appreciation of the story itself. So hearing a friend tell me their interpretation isn’t going to affect my experience when I get to the original.
But what about the stories in which a spoiler does affect it in the end? I honestly don’t feel ‘twist endings’ are nearly as valuable if the rest of the story isn’t worth it. To go back to M. Night Shyamalan, I liked the Village and watch it again, even knowing the secret. But that’s because the rest of the film was compelling without the secret.
What’s your opinion on spoilers? Love ‘em, hate ‘em, or don’t care? Let me know in the comments!
Yeah, I really don’t care too much about movie/tv spoilers. I think the only time where it irritated me was HP book 6. Other than that, if I learn something ahead of actually watching it, so be it. For instance, we’re finally watching “Walking Dead” season 2 (thank you, Netflix!) and I was reading up on an actor, accidentally found out the next story line. It was a surprise to learn it (particularly in that way) but whatever. Not spoiled, now intrigued to see that bit I read about!
That’s actually a good point, when I get a spoiler for something really cool, I’m more excited for the actual story, not less.
Exactly! I’ll more likely to look for a spoiler – not that it will spoil me, but based on how it goes, it will influence me whether or not to invest more time in the story/show. For the most part, I’ll read/watch more after the spoiler. Sometimes, however, those “cheat sheets” give me the story in a snapshot and it’s enough where I can move onto another story that’s been on hold. Either/Or – it’s rare that spoilers bother me.
Oh, I really resent learning about a twist before I’ve seen something I want to watch. I never saw The Crying Game because someone spoiled the twist (which was fundamental to that movie). But to be fair, if I don’t want something spoiled, then it’s up to me to go see it first or else avoid the commentary. I don’t think everybody else should have to shut up just because I haven’t got around to seeing it myself.
That reminds me! I do try to keep spoilers out of my posts or chats, whatever occurs that may allow me to reveal something that someone else doesn’t want to know. Now that I think about it, I search out spoilers too!