Let the Children Scream

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As a film enthusiast who’s not well-versed in Minecraft, I found myself with an unexpected free afternoon last weekend. Being blessed with ample time without children, I decided to indulge in a psychedelic experience, or so I thought, by popping a mushroom tea and heading to the cinema for the next available showing – which happened to be “A Minecraft Movie”. Unaware of the uproar it was causing in North American cinemas, I assumed it would be a light, silly movie, perfect for zoning out.

However, as my mind, already influenced by the mushrooms, was catapulted into another dimension when Jack Black shouted “CHICKEN JOCKEY!”, the audience around me – consisting of teens, tweens, and a few adults – erupted in chaos. People leapt from their seats and cheered wildly, popcorn flew into the air like geysers, and the atmosphere crackled with energy. It was a cinematic experience as intense as watching “Terrifier 3”, a film where a killer clown forces rats down people’s throats.

It appears that the chaos in my screening was relatively tame compared to the widespread reports of mayhem in North American theaters since the debut of A Minecraft Movie. It seems like an endless stream of disturbances have been leaking out, much like a series of reports about a zombie apocalypse. The children are said to be uncontrollable, driven by social media-induced frenzy to create viral spectacles. TikTok is filled with footage of theater chaos: popcorn bags exploding down the aisles, audiences surging up and down like waves, rolls of toilet paper flying from one seat to another (C2 to K14), boys being escorted out by police after screenings. A teen reportedly smuggled a live chicken into a showing. A theater in Township, New Jersey has reportedly barred unaccompanied minors from watching the movie, with its management urging parents to talk to their children about their behavior on social media.

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but express my concerns about the unpredictable nature of “A Minecraft Movie.” While my independent single-screen theater in Dunbar, Vancouver hasn’t been as heavily affected as the downtown multiplexes, we’ve certainly faced some challenging situations. For instance, we had to preemptively eject a teenage patron who was planning to create chaos – we could tell by the unusual amount of Costco-sized toilet paper they carried.

This film has been a breath of fresh air for our industry, given the underperformance of live-action Snow White and the general apprehensions about teens losing interest in cinema. The massive success of “A Minecraft Movie” (earning a staggering $550 million worldwide) has been a much-needed boost.

However, the exuberance of the teenage audience comes with a significant financial risk. Incidents on platforms like TikTok are hard to control. The potential damage they could cause is immense. If that toilet paper roll were to break a screen, repairing it could put our theater out of commission for several days.

It’s entirely reasonable to have these concerns. However, isn’t it this very spectacle that we crave from movies? Theater owners are pondering once more about what strategies they need to attract viewers back to their cinemas after another Cinemacon event. Extending the theatrical window or upgrading the seating comfort is a given. Why not even add recreational facilities like pickleball courts? But here we have an organic occurrence that’s drawing young people to their local movie theaters, who are eagerly embracing the communal experience that film enthusiasts have always emphasized as crucial. Shouldn’t we find a more constructive approach than simply trying to suppress this enthusiasm? Jared Hess, the director, expressed similar thoughts to Entertainment Weekly, stating, “It’s strange when you’re having too much fun and the cops get called.” Black shares this sentiment, recently making an unexpected visit to a screening where he poked fun at the overprotective attitude. “No popcorn throwing! And no chicken imitators!” he exclaimed, reveling in the admiration.

It’s great when going to the movies becomes an opportunity for unbridled fun, and such experiences should be considered part of the diverse range of cinema visits. A parent of a seven-year-old shared their joy about attending a Minecraft showing, characterized by lots of cheering and little popcorn throwing. “It was absolutely wonderful,” she said, “How often do children get to let loose at a movie theater instead of just on playdates?” She acknowledged that the cleanup after such events can be challenging for theater staff, who have to clear up with large trash bags and leaf blowers as the credits roll. However, she also pointed out that, as a parent, it’s refreshing not to have to clean up afterwards for once.

The recent chaos caused by the Chicken Jockey phenomenon isn’t too dissimilar from the turmoil that theaters faced when they were invaded by unruly youths during movie screenings of Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour in 2023. Just like then, there were sighs of exasperation as young girls stormed the stage area, singing and dancing in front of the screen. However, instead of condemning such behavior, it should be embraced. Imagine a theater experience enhanced with props, costumes, special offers on large popcorn buckets, and even a Jack Black-like figure to whip up the crowd. Perhaps, for those who prefer a more tranquil environment, dedicated quiet screenings could be arranged. If handled correctly, a Minecraft movie could become the next Rocky Horror Picture Show, an iconic film in interactive cinema history with a long-lasting impact on audience participation culture.

Indeed, everything should be carried out with proper limits in mind. I fully empathize with the possibility of expensive damages, the hardships faced by overworked theater staff (who deserve higher wages), and the distress experienced by the unfortunate live chicken that was secretly brought into the theater. However, there are correct ways to handle this situation. In fact, some theaters are arranging special “Chicken Jockey” screenings as a precaution for those who aren’t constantly seeking memes. This is a thoughtful approach. If young people desire a cinema experience to cherish, let’s create an appropriate venue for them. Perhaps we could even install a protective barrier around the screen, just to ensure safety.

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2025-04-16 16:54