Every day, students spend hours on social media. Some see apps like TikTok and Instagram as a waste of time, and others see social media in general as a toxic environment. While there can be some downsides, some apps are redefining what social media is and sparking new conversations. One app that has taken high schoolers by storm is Letterboxd. With conversations of movie recommendations and reviews, Letterboxd has become a hot topic on social media.
Letterboxd is a well-liked, popular app that allows users to make movie lists and review a movie after watching it. People can also interact with others on the platform to get new movie recommendations. These reviews can rate a movie anywhere from half a star to five stars and are very helpful to see whether or not a movie is worth watching. The system of Letterboxd is solely based on people’s ratings, allowing all sorts of movies to regain popularity in the media.
Senior, Grace Jorgensen, notes, “Letterboxd has taken off in the media because, unlike other social media platforms, it isn’t overwhelming to use. Social media has such stakes to it”.
The more popular Letterboxd gets, the more widespread it becomes across all platforms of social media. This app has caused movies to become substantially more popular and created a new culture around film.
Many ETHS students are interested in film and media. These students are able to express and cultivate their passion for film through Letterbox.
“ETHS students have connected through Letterboxd through conversation. At first, I really didn’t know much about the app, and while talking with a close friend of mine about movies, she recommended the app to me,” states Jorgensen
Letterboxd also shines a light on underrated directors who have little media coverage. So many directors have created amazing work, but don’t have the social status of some of the bigger names. Their work often goes unnoticed as larger directors produce new movies.
Senior and AP Film student, Maddie Ford, remarked, “Instead of putting movies that have the highest box office rankings at the top, Letterbox helps support smaller films, allowing small film makers to have their break within media”.
Letterboxd has become much more than a movie review app: it has started conversations with students. Some of these conversations have inspired students to pursue careers in film production and educated them on the topic of film. Letterboxd is a great way for ETHS students to connect over a shared interest in movies. It has also allowed smaller directors to share their work with a wider audience, giving them the credit they deserve.
