The lights are down, the film has started, and somewhere behind you a conversation is still going. Is it acceptable to talk during a movie at the cinema?
A shared-space etiquette question that comes up every time a theatre audience is anything less than dead silent.
What happened
Cinema etiquette around talking varies noticeably by country, venue and even the type of screening, with some audiences treating quiet commentary as normal and others treating any talking as a serious breach.
Why people disagree
Strict-silence advocates argue a shared cinema experience depends on everyone staying quiet so nobody's immersion is broken. More relaxed viewers argue brief, quiet reactions are a natural part of watching something with other people and are different from a full conversation.
What's still unclear
Whether the right standard should really be silence versus talking, or volume and brevity, since a hushed one-word reaction and a running commentary get treated very differently in practice.
More takes
A Scottish animal charity wants private fireworks banned across the UK, leaving only organised displays. Should garden fireworks on Bonfire Night be outlawed?
A new YouGov survey finds 53% of 18-24s prefer TV and films with the subtitles on. A sensible fix for mumbled dialogue, or a habit that gets in the way?
