There was a time when we watched movies and moved on. Maybe we discussed them over chai the next day or brought them up weeks later during a family dinner. That was it. But not anymore. Somewhere between endless OTT drops and Instagram story polls, we all became unofficial film critics. And surprisingly, we’re not bad at it.

Now, it’s not just “Did you like it?” It’s: “The writing was strong, but the pacing fell flat after the first act.” Or: “They really underused that character in the second half, didn’t they?” Suddenly, we all notice sound design, appreciate layered dialogues, and care about which cinematographer shot the film. We went from “This hero looked cute” to “His performance lacked range.” And honestly, it’s been a fun evolution.

We used to watch movies for fun—now we watch them like panelists on a film jury. And it’s oddly empowering...!

Streaming platforms gave us access. Social media gave us voice. And the combination? A generation of women who no longer just consume content—they decode it, dissect it, discuss it. And yes, sometimes, destroy it. With flair.

Weekend plans now include watching a film so we can talk about it. Whatsapp groups turn into mini review panels. Someone sends a thoughtful opinion, another drops memes, a third digs out a behind-the-scenes trivia reel. And just like that, movies become conversations, not just content.

But it’s not just about showing off cultural currency. It’s also about reclaiming space. For too long, film talk was a “guy thing”—serious, technical, gatekept. Now, women lead the discourse. We champion overlooked indies, question problematic narratives, and demand better scripts. Whether it’s a quiet Malayalam drama or a loud Bollywood thriller, we bring nuance to the table—with or without a film studies degree.

 

Of course, some days, we still enjoy switching off and watching something silly. But even then, we know why we liked it. Or why we didn’t. And we’re not afraid to say it out loud. Or tweet it. Or DM it with “pls don’t judge me, but...”

So yes, we’re all critics now. Silent during the movie, very loud after it ends. And maybe, that’s exactly how it should be.