Cinema-Goer Chucks Popcorn At Rude Woman To Teach Her Not To Use Her Phone In Theater

No TikTok video is important enough to disrupt Dune 2.

Chelsi

• Published in Film & TV
• May 18, 2024

A Redditor looked forward to a great cinema experience when they purchased tickets for Dune 2 at a 19+ VIP theater. It wasn't a great sign for OP's night when a group of young women in their early 20s conversed loudly through the previews.

OP was irritated but hoped the women two rows ahead of them would stop trading stories once the movie began. The first twenty minutes went uninterrupted until one woman pulled her phone out.

Full phone brightness at a dark cinema was distracting. The woman alternated between texting, scrolling on Instagram, and watching TikTok videos before she stowed her phone.

She repeated this cycle every 10 minutes. On the third time, OP loudly told her to put her phone away and was met with a glare from the young lady.

OP took matters into their own hands when the young woman used her phone again. OP grabbed a kernel of popcorn and chucked it at the woman.

The rude viewer asked OP if they were "fuck*n' serious right now!?" OP asked if she couldn't live without her phone for a couple of hours.

Other cinema-goers shushed the arguing duo until the woman exasperatedly stopped using her phone. After twenty minutes, she was back on her cycle.

OP used another popcorn to reprimand them. The kernel sailed by the woman's head but managed to send her a message about rudely using her phone.

The movie ended. The young woman pointed at OP and told her friend, "That's the a**hole."

OP told their friends about what happened. OP was told how the woman behaved was "normal" cinema etiquette these days.

OP realized people do not expect others to stay off their phones in theaters. Disruptive behaviors were unthinkable twenty years ago. Not so much these days.

OP had certain expectations at a VIP theatre. They could have stayed home instead of spending $25 on tickets. Not to mention what they spent on food, drinks, and parking.

Should OP have ignored the woman on her phone? Did OP take it too far when they threw popcorn to send a message?

OP's direct action got quick results. Hopefully, that woman would second-guess before she pulls her phone out at the movies next time.

If she knew she didn't have the attention span to sit through a 2-hour movie without fidgeting with her phone, she should have stayed home.

OP tried to talk to the woman reasonably at first. Sure, OP could have reported the issue to a theater staff, but the popcorn was just as effective.

Other cinemas warn movie-goers not to use their phone or they will get thrown out.

OP is a true theater connoisseur.

Others warned OP to be more careful next time. The person they pelted with popcorn could be aggressive.

If OP encounters another rude customer, they should report it and get a coupon from the management.

Another commenter said they handled a situation similar to OP's with peanut M&M's.

The woman's phone made her an easier target. It was a beacon.

Could OP have ignored the woman and her bright phone screen? Sure — but at $25 per ticket, OP handled the situation appropriately.

No one got hurt, except that woman's popcorn-flavored ego. An adult should know better than to use their phone at the movies.

Chelsi