In the US and many other countries, you may only ever be reminded that you’re sharing a darkened movie theater with hundreds of other people when a ripple of laughter or the occasional gasp erupts; in India, however, the cinema is a collective and interactive experience. Viewers will cheer and sing along, shouting to the characters or throwing coins at the screen in celebration. If the movie is met with disapproval, the crowd will not suffer in silence. With a slew of new interactive features recently launching on streaming services, we might all soon enjoy a more participatory experience of the movies: Netflix has Netflix Party, Amazon Prime includes Amazon Watch Party and Disney Plus offers GroupWatch. These “virtual parties, ” designed to allow viewers to watch along with remote friends and family, were developed in response to how we’re all spending more time at home. But they may ultimately come to change the way we engage This story is from Kinfolk Issue Forty-Two Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Issue 44 Stage Frights The logic of theater superstitions. Arts & Culture Issue 43 Paapa Essiedu The British stage star steps onto a new platform. Arts & Culture Issue 39 Golden Rules A taxonomy of obedience. Arts & Culture Issue 23 Elisa Humble, hard-working and taking on Hollywood: Rising actor Elisa Lasowski talks to Pip Usher. Arts & Culture Issue 47 Alice Sheppard On dance as a channel to commune with the body—even when it hurts. Arts & Culture Issue 47 Dr. Woo Meet the tattoo artist who's inked LA.
Arts & Culture Issue 23 Elisa Humble, hard-working and taking on Hollywood: Rising actor Elisa Lasowski talks to Pip Usher.
Arts & Culture Issue 47 Alice Sheppard On dance as a channel to commune with the body—even when it hurts.
