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CRINGE FACTOR · GUILTY PLEASURES

Why 'So Bad It's Good' Movies Need a Separate Cringe Factor Slider

Every squad has a soft spot for a glorious 2000s disaster or an over-the-top cult classic where the dialogue makes you wince and you still have the best night of the month. That is why moviemates.social gives you both an Enjoyment slider and a separate Cringe Factor.

By Kim Routley (Founder, moviemates.social) · Updated · 5 min read

In short: Key takeaways

  • A single star rating cannot tell the difference between a boring 2-star film and a hilarious "so bad it’s good" crowd-pleaser.
  • On moviemates.social, you can score Enjoyment and LOL Factor high while cranking the separate Cringe Factor slider to warn (or entice) your mates.
  • Separating Storyline and Performances from Enjoyment lets you be honest about a cheesy script without pretending you did not have fun.
  • Your Squad can immediately tell from your craft breakdown whether a film is a prestige masterpiece or a Friday-night pizza classic.
How craft sliders distinguish three very different "60/100" movies
Type of Film Storyline & Performances Enjoyment & LOL Factor Cringe Factor
Worthy but dull prestige drama High (75+) Low (40) Low
"So bad it’s good" cult classic with mates Low (30) Sky-high (95) High (the whole point!)
Solid popcorn action night Mid (60) High (85) + High Action Low to Mid

Being honest about guilty pleasures

On traditional movie apps, people either give a cheesy cult film aronic 5-star rating (which messes up their actual top-rated stats) or a harsh 1-star rating (which hides how much fun the room had). Scoring Enjoyment alongside Cringe Factor keeps your profile honest.

Warning your Squad about awkward dialogue

Cringe Factor is also handy on serious films that stumble into accidental second-hand embarrassment. Sliding Cringe Factor lets you flag those moments while still giving top marks to the cinematographer and composer.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cringe Factor mandatory on every review?

No. Like the other sliders on moviemates.social, you only touch Cringe Factor when it applies to the film you watched.

Does Movie Mates also have an Enjoyment and LOL Factor slider?

Yes. Enjoyment, LOL Factor, and Action sit alongside technical crafts like Storyline, Performances, Cinematography, Costumes, and Soundtrack.

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