Meta and Blumhouse's Controversial Chatbot Wants You Texting During Movies
Image: Philip Cheung for The New York Times

Meta and Blumhouse's Controversial Chatbot Wants You Texting During Movies

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A New AI Companion Challenges Traditional Cinema Etiquette

AI Summary generated by Patrick Diola @ FusePop
5/3/2025

Meta and Blumhouse Create Chatbot That Encourages Phone Use During Movies

In a bold move that challenges traditional cinema norms, Meta and horror film studio Blumhouse have collaborated to develop an AI chatbot designed to enhance movie-watching experiences through active smartphone engagement.

The innovative chatbot aims to transform the typically discouraged practice of phone use during films into an interactive, immersive experience. By providing real-time commentary, behind-the-scenes trivia, and contextual information, the AI seeks to bridge the gap between passive viewing and active audience participation.

Key features of the chatbot include:

  • Contextual movie trivia and actor information
  • Interactive plot analysis and character background
  • Live social media integration
  • Personalized viewing recommendations

While the concept may excite tech enthusiasts, it has already sparked significant debate within the film industry. Cinema purists argue that the chatbot could disrupt the immersive storytelling experience, while younger audiences seem more receptive to the technology-enhanced viewing model.

Blumhouse's involvement suggests the chatbot might initially focus on genre films like horror, where audience interaction and real-time reactions are traditionally more acceptable.

As streaming platforms and cinema experiences continue to evolve, this collaboration represents a potentially transformative approach to how we consume and interact with media in the digital age.

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