Me, Myself & the Movies

Me, Myself & the Movies

By Ollie.

One of my favourite pastimes is going to the movies. I try to go once a week if I can. I’m lucky—there’s a cinema nearby that offers cheap tickets every day and regularly screens great reruns, especially around Halloween.

I remember the first time I went alone. It was during my second year of university, on a rare day off. I was juggling work, study, and a busy social life back then, so having nothing to do felt like a luxury. I’d always loved going to the movies, but coordinating with friends was often frustrating—deciding what to see, when to go, and who was actually interested. That day, no one else wanted to go, and though I’m naturally shy, I decided to just go by myself. Why not? Why waste a perfectly good afternoon over insecurity?

I felt confident—right up until I stepped into the cinema. Suddenly it felt like all eyes were on me.
Oh God, look at that poor loser all by himself.
Doesn’t he have any friends or a partner?

My skin was on fire. The anxiety was crushing. I rushed to my seat, trying to make myself invisible. And then—panic—some guys my age approached me. Here come the laughs, I thought. But no, they just needed to get past. They didn’t even notice I was alone. Why would they? They didn’t know me. They were just there to watch the same movie.

That small, almost comic moment changed everything. Once I’d gotten through that little storm in my head, I relaxed. The lights went down. The movie began. And ever since then, going to the cinema alone has become my favourite way to experience film.

Not because I have no friends or dislike people—far from it. I love spending time with good friends. But going to the cinema alone allows me to fully immerse myself. To focus on the plot, the dialogue, the score, and the ending—without distraction. It’s one of the rare times I can be completely present, uninterrupted.

I’ll watch anything—an old favourite for the nostalgia, something new I’ve been counting down the days for, or even a random film just to pass the time. There’s something sacred about being in the dark, in front of a giant screen, no phones, no talking—just total focus on the art of storytelling. It speaks to my introverted soul.

And nothing beats that moment when you walk back out into the blinding daylight, feeling like your whole worldview has shifted in the space of two hours.

For introverts, queer people, and outsiders in general, the movies can offer something more than just entertainment. They reflect us, challenge us, and offer an escape from a sometimes monotonous or unwelcoming world.

What I love most about going to the cinema is that it’s like stepping into a pocket universe for a few beautiful moments—and then carrying that magic back into the real world. Whether it’s a romantic tragedy that tints everything with emotion, or a cheesy 80s horror that makes the walk back to your car a little more thrilling, going to the movies is an irreplaceable experience.

It’s one of the few spaces where everyone is welcome—and there’s something for everyone, introverts included.

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