The Art of Spoiling: Why Reading the Script Before Watching is Liberating, Not Ruinous
In a world where streaming services have made it possible to consume an endless supply of films and TV shows with minimal effort, some viewers have taken to skipping ahead in anticipation. Jason Okundaye, assistant opinion editor at The Guardian, is one such individual who regularly spoils the plot for himself before watching a show or film.
For Okundaye, knowing the outcome beforehand brings a sense of relief, rather than annoyance. Rather than feeling burdened by uncertainty, he finds that it allows him to focus on the viewing experience itself. "It's something I do fairly regularly," he admits. "I tend to open Wikipedia and read the entire plot synopsis before watching a film...If every episode of a series has been uploaded to a streamer, I often open the last episode, watch the final five minutes, close it, and then start from the beginning."
Okundaye's approach may seem counterintuitive to many viewers, who believe that watching something without knowing what happens first is part of the experience. However, for Okundaye, reading spoilers brings a different kind of pleasure to the viewing experience. He feels like he's "one step ahead" of the characters and can pick up on subtle foreshadowing cues.
This approach also holds true for older works, such as Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, where the plot twists are so well-known that it becomes a game to see how much you can spot. Okundaye cites Cruel Intentions as another example, pointing out that knowing the ending didn't detract from his enjoyment of the film.
However, Okundaye is quick to clarify that he wouldn't spoil things for others or casual social media posts. "I think that's a bizarrely selfish practice," he notes. Instead, he sees it as a way to appreciate the writing and entertainment value of a story without being held back by anticipation or uncertainty.
Ultimately, Okundaye's approach is about finding joy in the viewing experience on his own terms. By knowing what happens beforehand, he can focus on the nuances and complexities of the storytelling, rather than getting bogged down by suspense or surprise. As he so aptly puts it, "If you've repeatedly watched something and your enjoyment hasn't diminished, then surely it's about the writing and entertainment rather than the big reveals."
In a world where streaming services have made it possible to consume an endless supply of films and TV shows with minimal effort, some viewers have taken to skipping ahead in anticipation. Jason Okundaye, assistant opinion editor at The Guardian, is one such individual who regularly spoils the plot for himself before watching a show or film.
For Okundaye, knowing the outcome beforehand brings a sense of relief, rather than annoyance. Rather than feeling burdened by uncertainty, he finds that it allows him to focus on the viewing experience itself. "It's something I do fairly regularly," he admits. "I tend to open Wikipedia and read the entire plot synopsis before watching a film...If every episode of a series has been uploaded to a streamer, I often open the last episode, watch the final five minutes, close it, and then start from the beginning."
Okundaye's approach may seem counterintuitive to many viewers, who believe that watching something without knowing what happens first is part of the experience. However, for Okundaye, reading spoilers brings a different kind of pleasure to the viewing experience. He feels like he's "one step ahead" of the characters and can pick up on subtle foreshadowing cues.
This approach also holds true for older works, such as Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, where the plot twists are so well-known that it becomes a game to see how much you can spot. Okundaye cites Cruel Intentions as another example, pointing out that knowing the ending didn't detract from his enjoyment of the film.
However, Okundaye is quick to clarify that he wouldn't spoil things for others or casual social media posts. "I think that's a bizarrely selfish practice," he notes. Instead, he sees it as a way to appreciate the writing and entertainment value of a story without being held back by anticipation or uncertainty.
Ultimately, Okundaye's approach is about finding joy in the viewing experience on his own terms. By knowing what happens beforehand, he can focus on the nuances and complexities of the storytelling, rather than getting bogged down by suspense or surprise. As he so aptly puts it, "If you've repeatedly watched something and your enjoyment hasn't diminished, then surely it's about the writing and entertainment rather than the big reveals."
This guy is like totally right! I mean, reading up on spoilers beforehand can actually help u appreciate the story more. It's like, knowing what's gonna happen next makes u pick up on all these subtle hints and stuff that u wouldn't have noticed otherwise 
. And it's not like he's just gonna spoil it for everyone online lol, just keeps it to himself when watching with friends or something 
. It's all about finding joy in the process, right? 
Reading up on spoilers before watching can be a total game-changer for me too! It helps me appreciate the writing and characters more without getting caught off guard. Plus, it's like having a little insider info that makes the experience even more enjoyable. I mean, why let suspense get in the way of appreciating some sick plot twists? 
And yeah, it's not about spoiling it for others, just enjoying it on my own terms. I've seen those "don't watch until you know the ending" ads and I'm like, no thanks, give me the juicy spoilers! 
no more anxiety or suspense just pure entertainment vibes 
i cant believe ppl who watch somethin without knowing whats gonna happen its like theyre playin a game of russian roulette 
not for me tho i like bein one step ahead 
It's like, you get to see all these subtle foreshadowing cues and stuff that everyone else is too busy being surprised by 
. So yeah, if you're gonna watch something, might as well know what's comin'! 
...I mean, don't get me wrong watching a show without knowing what happens is super fun and all but for some people it can be super frustrating when you're invested in the characters and storyline and then BAM! You find out what's gonna happen next and it's just like "meh" lol. I also think it's so cool that Jason is able to appreciate the writing and stuff without being held back by suspense. I do that too with books, reading the ending can actually help me understand the characters better, you know? 