Film and television has become increasingly less accessible to the average person in the last 4 years, while at the same time broadening its reach across a multitude of streaming platforms. With television series taking a year or longer to produce an 8 episode season, or films skipping right past theatrical releases to digital, it is not easy to keep up with the media being made today; not to mention the cancellation of shows after one lonesome season. You have to ask yourself, is this even worth my time… or money? Personally, between my immediate family and I we have Netflix, Hulu & Disney+, Max, Peacock, and Prime Video (I pay a whopping $15.99 a month for Max so that I can watch Girls any time) and even with all these subscriptions I still miss out on a handful or new releases due to additional fees, cancellations, and lack of free time. Due to the limitations surrounding new releases in tandem with the excessive amount of shows and movies coming out each month I have noticed a spike in the “You Just Don’t Get It” mentality online. The "you don’t get it" mentality refers to a dismissive attitude toward individuals who do not fully appreciate or understand a piece of media, often stemming from a sense of elitism within fan communities that fosters exclusion and judgment rather than inclusivity and open-mindedness. So, what am I getting at here? Since when does disliking something mean you lack the brain power to comprehend it? Can cinema exist on its own, or must it live tied by umbilical cord to its maker? And is the excess of tv shows and films released on streaming creating a cult-like following due to limited accessibility? Grab a drink, get comfortable as we break down the ideology behind the “You Just Don’t Get It” mentality online, specifically as it relates to film and television.
I recently went to see The Substance in theaters and I absolutely loved it. I thought it was absurd and grotesque. I found the structure and overall production design to be striking in the best possible way, and I really liked the composition of the shots juxtaposing Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle and Margret Qualley as Sue. However when I strolled over to Tik Tok to hear other people’s thoughts on the film, I was met with a handful of “You Just Don’t Get It” comments. This same response occurred after I saw Blink Twice, Kinds of Kindness, and even Longlegs; even though these movies span a wide range of genre and aesthetic I personally enjoyed them all and appreciated their overall plot and message, even when I didn’t understand it. I believe there is a strong difference between not getting something literally, there were several scenes in Kinds of Kindness that I didn’t fully comprehend, and I had to call my friend about Longlegs to have her explain the conjuring aspect of it. Does this mean I just didn’t get it? Kind of, but not in the way people are saying it online. Not liking something simply because it’s not your style, or your typical watch is totally fine, in fact it’s normal- art is subjective as we know. However the recent media landscape has established a polarizing approach to enjoying quite literally anything at all. You either get something or don’t, like something or don’t, stan someone or entirely loathe their soul being. When it comes to film and television reception from audiences, this mentality is no different. Today, disliking media is often seen as unacceptable. Instead of being free to appreciate something without fully loving it, you're pushed into a corner where you're accused of not 'getting' the culture or lore behind the story. But with the rapid and mass releases spanning all streaming services, and sometimes even cable, how are we expected to keep up, enjoy, and “get it” all at once?
“I didn’t really like MaXXXine?”
“You just didn't get it. Did you even see X or Pearl?”
Since when does disliking something mean you lack the brain power to comprehend it?
People on the internet often form intense parasocial bonds with media, actors, directors, and musicians, which fuels a sense of entitlement toward the work they love. Instead of simply enjoying and sharing it, many choose to gate keep, expecting some kind of validation in return. This creates a 'you don’t get it' mentality, especially toward newcomers or anyone unfamiliar with the deep lore of a fandom or artist. It's like being on the outside of an inside joke—rather than welcoming you in, they dismiss you as clueless, saying, 'you just don’t get it.
If you don’t like The Twilight Saga you just simply don’t get the campiness and lore behind it’s creation, you probably don’t even understand the significance of Edward leaving in New Moon.
What an uncanny similarity between super-mega-fangirls and liberal arts filmbros, they feel like they need to be the smartest one in the room (there’s nothing wrong with being a fangirl that’s quite literally my day job, however there is a difference between being a fangirl and being a freakish stalker).
Can cinema exist on its own, or must it live tied by umbilical cord to its maker?
One of the most valuable lessons I learned is how to separate the artist from their art. It’s tough when someone who creates beautiful work turns out to be problematic, but if we avoided every film, show, or song connected to a flawed person, we’d lose a huge chunk of mainstream media. Media literacy is crucial—understanding the difference between good art made by a bad artist and art created with harmful intentions matters. If cinema is forever tied to its maker, we can't cherry-pick who we hold accountable; everyone must face equal scrutiny. You can appreciate art without loving the artist, and critical thinking is key, especially in today's culture of quick judgment.
You can listen to Taylor Swift and still watch movies with Jake Gyllenhall, the same way you can watch and enjoy Repulsion and strongly dislike Roman Polanski as a human bein
Is the excess of tv shows and films released on streaming creating a cult-like following due to limited accessibility?
The excess of TV shows and films released on streaming platforms can indeed foster a kind of cult-like following, especially when certain content is limited by platform exclusivity or regional availability. When accessibility is restricted, fans can feel a sense of ownership or elitism around the media they consume, contributing to more intense, niche communities. These groups may create a stronger connection to the material because of the perceived exclusivity, much like cult followings that form around hard-to-find or underground works. Additionally, the sheer volume of content makes it harder for everyone to keep up, intensifying the "you don’t get it" mentality toward those not familiar with specific shows or films.
If I got a theatrical release of Strange Darling near me I too would’ve felt elitism, and I understand the hypocrisy there… I’m only human.
So where do we go from here, can we coexist and appreciate the media without the fear of feeling left out? I guess it’s up to you. Do you even care about the surge in “you just don’t get it” commentary, or do you have a vapid social life? The "You Just Don’t Get It" mentality highlights deeper issues in our culture’s relationship with media, where the sheer volume of releases and limited accessibility leave many feeling excluded for not liking or understanding something. Yet, art is subjective, and no one should be judged for having their own interpretation. In a world of abundant yet divisive media, critical thinking and separating the art from the artist are more essential than ever. Ultimately, it’s about staying true to your own tastes without succumbing to the pressures of exclusivity or judgment, and appreciating art on your own terms. Till next time, stay flirty, stay thirsty, but most of all stay up to date with the media being released… god forbid you just don’t get it ;)
See you soon,
Paige B.
P.s. I did like MaXXine, maybe even a little too much! I actually have a blog post about it… Cin Cin!
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