A Guide to the Perfect Movie Night In

Laura Pietrzak

We can all vouch for the fact that there is no better feeling than going to the cinema after a draining week on Friday and watching a newly released long-awaited movie. With its dark, welcoming lighting, formal seats and lack of contact and distractions from the outer world, it’s a magical experience. A splendid movie can come out of the cinema and make you feel empowered and motivated to change your life; to be the main character. Not even your painfully awkward slow-mo opening of a packet of crisps interrupting the silence of the cinema can kill your happy mood after an impactful watch. 

That, like many other feelings, can be recreated (at home), and here is exactly how to do it. Whether you are watching a film or bingeing the latest series that your friend recommended you, make sure to make the most out of it. 

First of all, you need to think a) how are you feeling and b) how do you want to feel. This will guide you to pick your watch for the night. If you’re feeling unhappy and you want it to stay that way, you can wallow in your misery by choosing to watch dramas or romance movies with tragic endings; like “Notebook”, “Titanic”, “Normal People”, “Marriage Story”. If you’re desolate but you want to feel better, you should rely on comedies or rom-coms to light up the mood; for instance, “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days”, “Letters to Juliet”, “Sex and the City”. A light-hearted fun watch is the cure for January blues. If you are bored, true crime documentaries, thrillers and horror movies are interesting and will keep you on your toes. Shows like “You”, “Don’t Worry, Darling” have reached deserved levels of popularity in the recent years. 

Next, prepare your area. By this, I mean comfort is key. Gather your blankets, fluff up your pillows, light some candles, do whatever it is you need to do, to create a comfortable space for you to relax in; I recommend getting vanilla candles or pumpkin spice to create a cosy and festive atmosphere. A product I also find worth investing in, is a weighted blanket. 

That’s one of the perks of watching at home, you make your own rules, rituals and you can stick to them, and make them a constant in your life on days that you need it. You can bring all the supplies and snacks that you like, and unlike the cinema, you have the freedom and power to pause the movie whenever you like  

The final step is an optional one – company. Choose who you want to share the experience with, or whether you just want to relax by yourself (that’s valid). 

Laura Pietrzak

Image Credit: Pixabay