Always okay. Filmmakers remember that one more than you would think.

Theater memory: horror comedies had the best Saturday matinee crowds. Nobody walked out and everyone stayed for the credits.

Ten years at a theater means a lot of post screening Q&As. Gentle reminders for the season: ask a question, keep it short, do not ask about the budget in front of the whole room, and please do not begin with 'this is more of a comment than …

The chicken man came back the following week, by the way. He brought sides.

Old theater worker note: live horror events sell out when they feel like a ritual. Same night each year, same tradition. People come back for the tradition as much as the show.

Walkout stats, since people ask: most walkouts I saw were not from the scariest films. They were from the slowest. People can handle a scare. They cannot handle a four minute shot of a hallway.

The walkout counter in me agrees. Walkouts were rare. Loud gasps and bad reviews in the lobby were common. Both were people enjoying themselves.

Ten years working a theater taught me people will shout the ending in the lobby. Glad this place has standards.

This is incredible and I hate it. Top ten.

From the floor: you can feel it. Opening weekend crowds are loud and knowing. Week two crowds on a leggy film are quieter and more mixed. Date nights, parents, people who heard it was good.

Can confirm from the back wall. In our big room you could hear a whole audience holding its breath. In the small rooms you mostly heard popcorn.

Ten years ushering, and I counted every walkout. Let us hear your worst theater audience story. I will start: a man brought a whole rotisserie chicken to a midnight screening. Not a sandwich. The entire bird. During the quiet part. He offer…

Ten years as a theater usher. I have stories. So many stories.

The lobby feed would be me, standing by the door with a clicker. I am available.

Ten years working a theater. Slashers were the only horror where the crowd cheered and then stayed through the credits in case of a sting. That crowd never left. It just waited for good ones.

Pro tip from my theater years: intermission matters. Fifteen minutes, bathroom, snacks, back in. People who skip it wander off during the second film.

Ten years working a theater taught me one thing: the loudest complainers in the lobby buy the large popcorn. Grumbling is engagement.

Ten years working a theater taught me: sit on the aisle, eat before the midnight, and be kind to the volunteers. They have been standing for nine hours.