When are Spoilers no longer Spoilers?

I was on my way… riding in a shared car with two random guys. This was pre-pandemic ride-sharing. I remember I was in a five-person car, so it was the two men, and me on the right hand side. I told them the news… That I was on my way to see the iconic horror movie of the century… The Shining! No, this is not a fictional autobiography. No, this is not a fictional story, nor a “what if?” No!

This is my true story. Which is as strange as it is illuminating.

🌠🪄🩻

So, back around 2017, going between Somerville and Brighton, MA… I was in a shared Uber.

I remember how awkward I felt, as these were two tight-knit friends who knew each other. So what was I?

A nuisance sharing the car seat?

There was a special midnight showing of The Shining, you see. Whatever-anniversary-it-was screening.

So I had to go and see it! It took me a very long time, into adulthood, to start watching horror. Not like other boys in that way.

So, no, I didn’t like horror. I didn’t like it at all.

But then even your parents tell you the importance of Hitchcock! The amazing cinematography. So that’s different, then….

It wasn’t because I was a repressed spirit that I detested horror. No… it was because I was an evolved one!

But, nonetheless… soon enough you have to know what everyone is talking about.

🎥🩻🙅🏼‍♀️

So, believe it or not… a 20+ year old child took a magical ride one day, going to see a movie so many others had seen 4 decades ago!

When I told the other 2… well, it did spark discussion.

More discussion than I bargained for.

They asked me, at one point, if I had seen it. After disclosing a bunch of details I hadn’t heard before. I said “no, actually I haven’t. So no spoilers!”

I could feel the tension in the air. Was that weird? I’m a firm believer in “no spoilers.” But it even sounded ridiculous to me.

I understand why I did it… and in a big way stand by it…. In fact, I stand by it in every way. But… it is kinda ridiculous, isn’t it?

I stood by every word. But in total… it felt ridiculous.

Blurrrg, that’s a tough one!

So this movie: I never saw it… but I heard all about it. I never truly knew about it. But… the movie’s older than I am!

😳🤯

At some point, it’s just a part of the culture. Isn’t it? Like, there were other movies that you hear about so much… just hear about so much… you have to kind of “know them.”

Right?? Well, I think most would agree. Maybe not in total though.

When are spoilers still spoilers… and when does the statute of limitations run out?

Hopefully someone will comment their thoughts…