This is especially true for young people. Film fans may remember when Mubi started and word of mouth spread that a streaming site like Netflix was showing a new “really good” film every day. Film discovery platform Letterboxd has arguably had even more success, thanks to its young, dedicated community. The largest age group for Letterboxd members is currently 18-24 year olds, and this demographic has in turn helped fuel the explosion of the platform. Letterboxd currently has 13 million members, up from 1.8 million during the pandemic. “I see 100 percent young people at our events,” says Steven, reflecting on Deeper Into Movies screenings, “at The Prince Charles and The BFI every time I go.”

It all adds up to a bit of a paradox. People, even “digital-native” (kill me) teenagers, want to watch films just as much, if not more than ever. But cinemas, at least here on the British high street, seem to be playing the game with the same handful of visitors, with more seats dragged uncomfortably from an empty floor. “I think people are turning away from maybe not just multiplexes but arthouse chains like Picturehouse,” says Hester Underhill. “I think the cost of living crisis has made it really difficult. Ticket prices are too high to justify the experience of seeing a film on the big screen, so theatres are becoming emptier and a bit sadder.”