Ever Watch a Movie For The Vibes?

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We all have many reasons why we watch movies. It's a franchise we love, it's entertainment, or it's a director, or an actor, etc. That being said, haven't you ever desired to watch a movie because of the vibes? Hear me out, here.

Doesn't it feel like a particular movie has an aesthetic that you can escape to? This writer certainly feels that. There's something specific about certain movies that fills a need for escapism. I'll venture to say it's deeper: A sub-genre of escapism. It's not even taking yourself away to another world, as we do with Middle Earth, Pandora, or Arrakis. It's more the general feel of the world you view. The look of it. What effect does it have on you.

Of course, this is also an excuse for me to hype up some movies that I love, but here are some examples of what I mean by watching certain movies for the vibes and my explanation for them.

The Batman (2022) dir. Matt Reeves

This is probably one where I said to myself out loud, "I need to see this because of the vibes". Something is comforting about the world of Gotham, according to director Matt Reeves' vision. It's cold, brooding, rainy, foggy. The overall mood of Robert Pattinson's Bruce Wayne (which matches the rest of the Gothamites), decorated by Nirvana's "Something in the Way," makes it a perfect watch for a rainy night.

Her (2013) dir. Spike Jonze

I'm sure many would agree when I say that this movie is one of those that is a warm hug for the viewing soul. It's got a weird mix of making you feel sad and happy at the same time. The pastel aesthetic of a not-too-distant future setting, with warm colors and the mild demeanor of people, is a world that makes one want to be in. It also helps that Arcade Fire's score is so exquisite that you can't help but anticipate escaping into that world when you rewatch.

Nightcrawler (2014) dir. Dan Gilroy

It's in the title. The Southern California nightlife is what makes this thriller so desirable for me in terms of vibes. Even if unsavory things are happening on screen, the beautiful photography of panoramic streetlights in the background lord over it all. It's not exactly cruising, as it is speeding tensely through the L.A. night, but it's still vibes.

Which movies do YOU watch for the vibes? Think about it.