WHY GOING TO THE MOVIES IS A RISK NOT WORTH TAKING
By Relentless
Introduction: The Game Has Changed
I get it—there’s nostalgia attached to going to the movies. That big-screen experience, the communal energy, the buttery popcorn. Or maybe you just want an excuse to chant “We outside.” But while that may seem okay for the young, adventurous folks, let’s be real: life has changed, and so has the risk of simply leaving your house. What used to be a night out filled with excitement is now a potential game of Russian roulette. You don’t have to live life walking on eggshells, but you do need to acknowledge that the world, especially the United States, is not what it once was.
Younger generations might not fully understand because they haven’t lived long enough to see the horror, but for those of us who have? Stay your ass home. I don’t know what this director Sean Baker was thinking last night, standing up at the Oscars trying to drag people back to theaters, as if a damn movie is worth risking your life. It’s not, Sean.
Theaters are not just outdated—they’re unprotected, unsafe, and unnecessary. This is not the same America where you could go catch a flick without a second thought. You step outside today, and you’re stepping into random acts of violence, reckless drivers, robberies, and a society unraveling in real-time. You have choices, and in 2025, the smartest choice is to bring the entertainment to you—not to gamble your life for a few hours of distraction. And let’s face it: Instagram has become the strip club, Youtube and Tik Tok have become the nightclub and concert hall, and Facebook & Twitter are now fighting for which platform can be the most polarizing with car chases, police activity and random violence where you will likely lose a limb, a hand, a tooth.
Let’s break down exactly why theaters are no longer worth it.
1. Theaters Have No Real Security—You’re On Your Own
Movie theaters have some of the weakest security standards of any public venue. There are no metal detectors, no real bag checks, and no way to know who’s sitting next to you in that darkened room. Maybe there’s one off-duty cop working a side hustle, wearing his uniform as a convenience, but that’s about it. If something goes down? Good luck.
We’ve seen what happens when there is no security presence. The 2012 Aurora, Colorado mass shooting proved that in the most horrific way possible. James Holmes walked into a packed theater showing The Dark Knight Rises and killed 12 people, injuring 70 others. No one stopped him. The theater had no police presence.
Cinemark, the theater chain, had previously hired off-duty officers for security—but not that night. That single decision left hundreds of people unprotected. After the massacre, the chain made some changes, like banning backpacks, but that’s nothing but security theater. What does limiting bag size do if there are still no weapons checks?
This isn’t just a one-time incident. Movie theaters continue to be soft targets.
- In 2015, a gunman in Lafayette, Louisiana opened fire at a screening of Trainwreck, killing 2 and injuring 9.
- In 2015, a man attacked moviegoers in Tennessee with a hatchet and pepper spray before being shot by police.
- In 2021, a teen couple was randomly shot inside a California theater watching The Forever Purge.
Tell me, what’s changed? Where are the new security measures? Where are the armed guards?
They don’t exist. And yet, some people still want to tell you to go back, as if nothing’s happened.
2. The Violence Doesn’t Stop When the Credits Roll
Even if you make it through the movie safely, you still have to get to and from the theater. And guess what? That’s another level of risk entirely.
- The Parking Lot is a Free-for-All – Car break-ins are at an all-time high. Over a million vehicle break-ins happened in 2022 alone. Criminals know theaters are the perfect place to hit: people park their cars, sit in a dark room for two hours, and won’t be back anytime soon.
- Gas Stations Are No Longer Safe Stops – In major cities like Philadelphia, armed robberies at gas stations have skyrocketed. There were 69 gunpoint robberies at gas stations in a single year. Imagine stopping for gas after a late movie and getting caught in that.
- People Are More Unstable Than Ever – Social media has made violence viral. People are more aggressive, more confrontational, and more willing to act out in public just for clicks and clout. It only takes one argument over a seat or a phone screen’s brightness to turn into a fight—or worse, a shooting.
3. The Drive There and Back Might Kill You
Even before you step foot in the theater, you have to survive the drive. And in today’s world, driving is more dangerous than it’s been in decades.
- Traffic Deaths Are at a 16-Year High – In 2021 alone, 42,915 people died in car crashes—an alarming 10.5% increase in just one year.
- Drunk Driving is Worse Than Ever – 13,500 people were killed by drunk drivers in 2022, a 33% increase from 2019. And guess when most of these crashes happen? At night.
- Road Rage and Reckless Driving Have Skyrocketed – Since 2020, people have been driving like lunatics. If they’re not speeding, they’re swerving. If they’re not on their phone, they’re tailgating. A trip to the movies shouldn’t feel like a death wish, but that’s exactly what it is when you’re on the road with unpredictable drivers.
So even if your night is “uneventful” at the theater, that drive home? It’s still a dice roll.
4. Streaming Has Made Theaters Obsolete—And Safer
The best part? You don’t even need to go to a theater anymore.
- Streaming services drop new movies faster than ever. Some even release them the same day as theaters.
- Home entertainment has never been better. 4K Ultra-HD TVs, surround sound, and high-speed streaming have made it easy to replicate the theater experience from the comfort and safety of your home.
- You control your environment. No strangers coughing. No one kicking your seat. No overpriced popcorn. No one pulling out a gun because they don’t like the way you looked at them.
You don’t need to leave home to watch a movie—and in 2025, that’s a damn good thing.
The Bottom Line: Why Take the Risk?
Theaters want you to come back. Directors want you to show up to pad their box office numbers. But ask yourself: at what cost?
The violence is real. The risks are real. The alternative is safer and just as good.
This is not the world it used to be. The U.S. has changed. If you live in Taiwan, Bali, or Ghana, maybe things feel different. But here? Going out to a theater is a gamble—one that’s just not worth playing.
So when they tell you, “Come back to the movies,” just smile and say: Nah, I’m good.
But stay your ass home.
By Relentless Aaron
