The Brian Lehrer Show Oscar Talk: Streaming vs Theaters
Mar 11, 2026
Dana Stevens, Slate film critic and author of a Buster Keaton biography, breaks down the theater vs streaming debate. She talks about Timothée Chalamet’s defense of movie-going and why cinemas still matter. Conversation covers Gen Z film habits, repertory and boutique theaters, etiquette and enforcement, and how new films use allegory and music to make political points.
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Chalamet Defends Movies As A Medium
- Timothée Chalamet framed his concern as preserving movies as a medium, not merely theaters, when he warned against film becoming like opera or ballet.
- Dana Stevens says his offhand remark reflects a sincere worry about the future of filmmaking amid cultural shifts and digital pressures.
Gen Z Driving A Moviegoing Resurgence
- Theater attendance never fully rebounded after COVID but Gen Z shows real enthusiasm for theatrical viewing, supporting a partial revival.
- Dana Stevens cites data and cultural moves like revival screenings and art-house growth as evidence of renewed moviegoing among younger audiences.
Enforced Etiquette Can Protect The Theater Experience
- Theater etiquette has loosened since COVID, with more talking and phone use, but venues like Alamo Drafthouse enforce strict no-phone norms to preserve the communal experience.
- Stevens notes a drop in social contract observance but points to enforcement models that push back against disruptive behavior.
