Film bro finds and 'crash out cinema': how Letterboxd became a review haven for the algorithm-averse

For some film enthusiasts, a social media platform like Letterboxd has become an indispensable tool for discovering new movies and connecting with fellow cinephiles. While it may seem counterintuitive – given its focus on logging reviews of every film watched – the app has carved out a niche as a haven for those who value intellectual discourse over flashy algorithms.

On Letterboxd, users create "watchlists" that cater to their unique tastes. For instance, one friend has amassed 30 movies about "Fucked-Up British People," while another has curated a list of films to watch when they're in the throes of a maybe-unrequited crush. The platform's strength lies in its emphasis on community over social media-esque engagement, with no infinite scroll or algorithm-driven recommendations.

Gigi Leal, a 33-year-old content creator and horror buff, attributes her love for Letterboxd to its "movie diary" feel. She often turns to the app to gauge how others have perceived a film before forming her own opinion. Her boyfriend, on the other hand, relies more heavily on mainstream critics' reviews – an approach that Leal acknowledges can be limiting.

The app's user base skews young and affluent, with many users spending more money on movies than the average American. With 17 million registered users as of 2024, Letterboxd has become a significant platform for film discovery. However, its growth has also raised concerns about the app becoming too social media-like.

Chris Hite, a professor of film at Allan Hancock College, notes that Letterboxd's lack of interaction features may be both a blessing and a curse. While it avoids the toxic environment of platforms like Twitter or Facebook, it also risks becoming isolated if users are not incentivized to engage with one another.

Spencer Turney, owner of Rewind Room, a pop-up screening series in Chicago, sees Letterboxd as an ideal platform for discovering hidden gems. He scours the app for films that have been overlooked by mainstream audiences but have resonated with his own community.

Ali El-Sadany, editor-in-chief of film review site FilmSlop, has mixed feelings about Letterboxd's basic premise of distilling a film down to a five-star rating. While he appreciates its ability to bring together diverse voices, he wishes the app would focus more on the emotional and personal aspects of filmmaking.

In the end, Letterboxd exists in a fractured film ecosystem where fans rely on social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok for plot breakdowns and reaction videos. For those who value intellectual discourse over viral content, Letterboxd has become an essential tool for navigating this chaotic landscape. By embracing its unique strengths and weaknesses, the app continues to foster a community of cinephiles who are passionate about film – without sacrificing the nuances that make cinema so rich and rewarding.

I've been thinking about how Letterboxd is kinda like a super cool movie journal . It's all about connecting with others who share your love for films, you know? No fake followers or algorithm drama here . Gigi Leal's "movie diary" feel on the app is so relatable – I mean, who hasn't scrolled through their watchlists to see what others have thought of a movie before forming their own opinion?

But, at the same time, it can be kinda isolating if you're not part of that community . Chris Hite's right, there needs to be some interaction features in place to keep people engaged . Maybe Letterboxd could incorporate more discussion threads or live chat rooms?

One thing that bugs me is how users are just rating movies with a 5-star system – doesn't it feel kinda limited? Like, what about nuance? What about depth? FilmSlop's Ali El-Sadany makes some valid points about the app lacking emotional and personal aspects of filmmaking.

Still, I think Letterboxd is a gem in this chaotic film ecosystem. It's all about celebrating those who value intellectual discourse over viral content . For film enthusiasts like us, it's a haven for discovering new movies and connecting with fellow cinephiles .

ugh it's like they're saying letterboxd is all about the brainy folks but what about us normies i mean don't get me wrong, i love discovering new movies with my friends online too but sometimes i just wanna watch some trashy rom-com without feeling like i need to justify it

I'm all for Letterboxd being a platform where people can share their thoughts on movies, it's actually really cool that users have created these watchlists based on specific themes... but I do think it's a bit weird that some of them are just listing movies about messed up Brits . On a more serious note, I think the app is great for connecting with others who share similar tastes, but it can be a bit limiting if you're looking for something entirely new to watch. The fact that there aren't infinite scroll or algorithm-driven recs might actually be a pro in terms of avoiding some of the toxicity found on other social media platforms... but at the same time, it could lead to users getting stuck in their own little bubbles .

i think letterboxd is like, the ultimate platform for people who are super into movies! it's not about getting a bunch of notifications or trending posts, but about having real conversations with others who share your interests. i love how users can make their own lists and connect with others over shared tastes. for me, it's like having my own personal movie diary where i can see what others thought of the same films i've watched. i'm not saying mainstream critics don't have value, but letterboxd feels more authentic to me. and honestly, the fact that it's a bit niche is part of its charm!

Letterboxd is like my go-to BFF when it comes to finding new flicks . I love how users can create these watchlists that cater to their weird tastes , like watching movies about messed up Brits or crushing hard . It's so refreshing to see a platform where people actually care about discussing films in depth . For me, it's all about reading what others thought of the movie before forming my own opinion . Plus, I love how the app isn't like other social media platforms – no endless scrolling or algorithm-driven recs . And yeah, some people might find it weird that there aren't more features to engage with each other, but for me, that's part of the charm . It's all about finding those hidden gems and discovering new faves !

I mean, think about it... back in my day, we didn't have all these social media platforms like Letterboxd . We actually had to go to the video store (remember those?) or watch movies on VHS to discover new films. And if you wanted to discuss them with others, you'd have to physically meet up at the cinema or at someone's house .

I love that Letterboxd has created a space for film enthusiasts to connect over their shared passion, though . I mean, who doesn't want to share their thoughts on, say, "Fucked-Up British People" movies? It's like having your own private club, but online .

But at the same time, I can see why some people might think it's getting too social media-like . I mean, all those likes and comments... it's just not the same as having a real conversation with someone in person .

Overall, I think Letterboxd is still a great resource for film discovery, even if it's changing the way we interact with each other about movies . As long as people are passionate about cinema, I'm happy to see them connecting and sharing their love of film online .

idk why ppl think letterboxd is just about logging movies watched it's actually a platform for real conversations & connections with fellow movie nerds like how some users have created these wild watchlists (30 british movies? ) that show their unique tastes. and i love how it's not all about algorithm-driven recs, but more about community . the app may skew towards young folks with disposable income, but it's still a haven for film discovery & discussion

I'm all about this! I think what sets Letterboxd apart is how it focuses on actual movie discussions, not just superficial sharing . I mean, have you seen those "watchlists" for weird or niche topics? Genius! It's like a community of people who get each other, you know? And don't even get me started on the no algorithm recommendations – it's like they're saying, "Hey, we trust you to make your own taste decisions." That being said, I do think some users can get a little too intense with their ratings and discussions . Still, for those who are truly passionate about film, Letterboxd is the real deal . It's like finding that one corner of the internet where people understand what you're talking about .

I gotta say, I'm loving the nostalgia vibe of Letterboxd ‍. Remember when Myspace was all the rage? It's kinda like that, but for movie lovers instead of emo teens . But seriously, it's awesome to see people connecting over their love for film and sharing their thoughts in a community-driven space. I mean, who needs Instagram or TikTok when you can have a watchlist full of weird movies about British people? . The app is all about the movie diary feel, where you can see what others thought before you form your own opinion. It's like having a cinematic conversation with strangers who share similar interests. And, I love how it's not as flashy or algorithm-driven as other social media platforms. Give me that intellectual discourse over viral content any day!