In this pandemic time, when COVID-19 is spread so easily, some people are still trying to squeeze in an opportunity to socialize, because of this, among other reasons, the disease is spread even more. Thankfully, Netflix has thought of a way to bring people together, but without “actually” being together. Netflix Party, a Chrome extension, allows users to chat while they watch the same movie or show at precisely the same time. This new program could potentially save thousands of lives.
How does Netflix Party work? First, you log in, share a viewing link with your friends or family, and choose an individual to be the boss of picking what you watch. Then, as the show that was chosen plays out on the screen, a chat box pops up on the right-hand side of the screen. In this chatbox, you can do as you please, talk about the show with your friends, trade theories about what’s going to happen, argue, play, laugh, flirt, or tell them you want to watch something else.
Right now, this is the closest we can get to watching movies and shows with our friends. Regardless, even if the world weren’t under quarantine, then Netflix Party would still be an excellent idea.
In recent years, people have been so caught up and busy with life that nobody can watch movies together anymore. Everyone is either a few episodes ahead or a few behind; nobody watches the same thing at the same time anymore. Netflix Party brings this social element back into film watching.
Imagine watching all of Netflix’s most classic episodes at the same time as your friends, all reacting in real time to every unexpected, scary, or funny moment. Imagine watching Blacklist, the Red Wedding, Hannibal, the Fyre Festival documentary, Stranger Things, your favorite Xenomorph movies, or whatever your heart desires.
Netflix Party doesn’t compare to watching a movie in the theatres with your friends, but it’s the best we can do right now if we want our grandparents and loved ones to live through this.
