Heading up the seemingly endless escalators at the Renfrew Street Cineworld is quite the journey, and it’s something I’d never for one moment considered doing alone - until last weekend.
Desperate to see the new Olivia Wilde psychological thriller Don’t Worry Darling, I sent out mass texts hoping one of my friends would be up for a last-minute trip to the cinema. To my horror, each and every one of my supposed friends already had plans - I was outraged.
After almost resorting to swiping through Tinder just to find a cinema date, I had an outlandish notion.. Maybe I could go to the cinema on my own?
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Weighing up my options, I pondered whether people would think I was a loser. Would the rows of couples erupt into laughter and point at me, while throwing wads of popcorn as I walked into the screen solo?
Of course, the answer is no. In fact, I don’t think anyone in the screen even noticed me - turns out nobody cares; they’re just there to watch the film.
I purchased my ticket on my phone on the way into town, reducing the amount of people I would have to speak to - and avoid uttering the tragic words: “Ticket for one please".
There was no turning back, and by the time I reached Cineworld it seemed like the worst decision I had ever made. Ready for the lady checking tickets to sneer at me, judging my solo Sunday cinema trip - I walked in.
Again, and this really is the moral of the story, she didn’t care a jot.
In fact, once I was in my seat any initial anxiety was gone. I watched the various trailers for upcoming movie releases, and even contemplated making my next visit alone.
The movie itself was gripping, and another realisation came to me - the cinema isn’t even a social activity. Of course having someone to dissect the film with afterwards is nice, but now I had a pre-packaged conversation topic for the rest of the week with anyone I bumped into.
The experience turned out to be incredibly therapeutic, relaxing and a welcome break from the world. Most trips to the cinema are these things too, but being on my own took it to the next level.
I walked out feeling as if I’d woken up from a nap on a beach in the Mediterranean, completely ready for whatever the week had to throw at me.
That’s not to say there aren’t downfalls. For example, after nipping out of the screen to go to the toilet I returned to find Florence Pugh covering her face in clingfilm.
I don’t know how she got there, what led up to that moment, and why exactly she had wrapped her head in clingfilm - and I didn’t have a pal to inform me of the moments preceding.
Additionally, being alone gave me a laser focus on how irritating some of the others in the screen can be. The rustling of crisp packets and loud slurping were amplified, and I had no one to share my judgement of others with.
Overall, the rollercoaster of emotions was completely worth it. I’ve had multiple conversations since about the film, as well as the life changing experience of going solo.
Who knows what's next? I might even go for lunch alone, or visit Venice solo. Watch this space.
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