Martin Scorsese has stopped watching movies in theaters due to poor audience behavior, according to film critic Peter Travers. The celebrated director, known for his influence on cinematic history, has become increasingly frustrated by disruptions in theaters, leading him to abandon public screenings.
Peter Travers Shares Scorsese’s Frustrations
Peter Travers recently described his conversation with Scorsese, revealing how audience habits have made movie-going unbearable for the director. Travers highlighted behaviors such as viewers talking on phones during screenings, frequent trips for snacks and drinks, and constant noise that obscures the actors‘ dialogue. This growing disregard for theater etiquette was particularly concerning for Scorsese.
“I asked the maestro why he doesn’t see movies in theaters anymore and he went all raging bull about audiences who babble on phones during the movie, leave to order snacks and vats of soda, and keep up a noise level loud enough to drown out the actors,”
—Peter Travers, Film Critic
Beyond inattentive audience members, Travers noted that some theatergoers even take photos of the movie screen as if attending a concert. This atmosphere has convinced Scorsese that the in-theater movie experience is often ruined before it begins.
Speaking further, Travers recalled a discussion about their own youthful movie-going experiences. When Travers pointed out that they hadn’t always been model audience members as kids, Scorsese reflected on the differences between past and present behavior.
“’We couldn’t keep our mouths shut when we were kids.’ His eyes darkened. ‘Yeah, maybe.’ he conceded, ‘but when we talked it was always about the movie and the fun we had chewing over the details.’”
—Martin Scorsese, Director
Trouble in the Modern Film Industry
The concerns voiced by Scorsese and Travers echo wider discussions among notable filmmakers about the current state of movie theaters and the industry as a whole. Directors like Michael Bay and James Cameron have recently shared their own frustrations about challenges in greenlighting films, while Francis Ford Coppola’s latest project, “Megalopolis,” remains a subject of debate, according to actor Adam Driver.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who is set to star in a new project with Scorsese, described the collaboration as the “most creatively inspiring time” of his career. The forthcoming film, rumored to blend elements of “Goodfellas” and “The Departed” in a Hawaiian setting, is one of several initiatives on Scorsese’s horizon, even as he steers clear of theater audiences. Leonardo DiCaprio is also attached to a long-awaited adaptation of “Devil in the White City,” which will explore the infamous story of H.H. Holmes in nineteenth-century America.
What Lies Ahead for Scorsese and Cinema Audiences
As Martin Scorsese pursues new projects away from the theater, his concerns about audience behavior mirror anxieties felt by movie lovers and creators alike. The shifting experience inside theaters, impacted by distractions and changing etiquette, raises questions about the future of communal film viewing. Industry icons such as Scorsese, Peter Travers, Michael Bay, and James Cameron continue to speak up, perhaps driving efforts to restore the value and focus of in-theater experiences for filmmakers and audiences alike.
