Person sees a movie at Alamo Drafthouse. Then it starts playing a customer’s voicemail during the preview
A movie attendee went to the movies. Then they heard a clip from an angry former audience member who got kicked out of the theater for texting mid-show.
Jake (@worthyourtimeclips) went to the movies at Alamo Drafthouse. That’s when they saw a pre-movie clip that recommended all attendees turn off their cellular devices. Alamo Drafthouse had a surprise for the audience, though, playing a recording of an angry attendee who left a less-than-pleased voicemail for an Austin-based location.
Jake managed to capture the entire ad on video, posting to their page. The original clip the content creator posted has since gotten 1.8 million views, with viewers stating that they love Alamo Drafthouse considering the boldness of their pre-screening clips.
What did the person in the voicemail say?
Alamo Drafthouse decided to use a woman’s message to the theater as a pre-screening clip to advise other attendees not to talk or text during their movie-going experience.
During the advert, the woman quite literally screamed at employees at Alamo Drafthouse, saying, “ I’m gonna tell everyone about how [expletive] you are and I’m pretty sure you guys would be an [expletive]. I’m hoping so. Thanks for making me feel like a customer. Thanks for taking [my] money, [expletive].”
In another video that Jake posted with the full advert, the woman can be heard justifying using her phone in the theater. At the beginning of the message, the woman said, “ I was wondering if you guys actually enjoyed treating your customers like pieces of sh–, because that’s how I felt when I went to the Alamo Drafthouse… I didn’t know that wasn’t supposed to text in your little crappy [expletive] theater. It was too [expletive] dark.
She added that she was using her phone as a “flashlight” to find her seat, and that she should be free to text wherever she pleases in the “United States of America.”
Additionally, she emphasized that throwing her out of the theater was a rip-off and that she didn’t get her money’s worth out of the experience. “ You take my money and then you throw me out. You know, I will never be coming back to your Alamo draft house or whatever,” the woman added.
Why did Alamo Drafthouse make this ad?
Some viewers were surprised by a movie theater doing something so out of pocket. Others who are familiar with Alamo Drafthouse’s game know that it’s not unusual for the theater company to create wacky and over-the-top pre-screening clips.
One of the things Alamo Drafthouse is quite serious about is its no-phone policy in theaters. While most theaters do have policies to put away devices, Alamo takes it to another level with its previews.
On Reddit, a user posted one pre-screen message which read, “We fully appreciate the irony of reporting phone use… on your phone. Just don’t be a jerk.” Viewers on Jake’s video added that they love the pre-screen messages and that they’re what make part of what make Alamo so different. “Alamo Drafthouse is always doing something like this. I love them,” one viewer said.
Another added, “I wish I lived near an Alamo Drafthouse. This would keep me coming back.”
Alamo’s new QR code system—directly contradictory to their pre-screening message
Another thing that Alamo Drafthouse is notable for is its food delivery system. The theater offers a full menu of bites for customers to snack on. Customers can usually order via a small sheet of paper and the press of a button in the theater.
But Alamo Drafthouse has introduced a new ordering system that is turning heads in a negative way.
The new system incentivizes customers to use their phones to scan QR codes to order and pay for food. Reddit users pointed this out, saying that “banning phones is futile,” with the new system. Alamo Drafthouses that have introduced this new policy received a slew of complaints. From customers noticing gratuity on orders that had little to no service, to Drafthouse locations allegedly firing longtime staff members, the QR code system has generated a ridiculous amount of criticism for its impact on the authentic feeling of an Alamo theater.
Customers have noticed an increase in distractions in the movie theater as a direct result of this QR code system. So, the QR code system might have customers feeling like the normally funny pre-screening messages are contradictory.
@worthyourtimeclips ♬ original sound – Jake ?
The Mary Sue reached out to Alamo Drafthouse via email and Jake via TikTok direct message for comment. We’ll let you know if either party responds.
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