Movie watching is a major source of entertainment. I mean these actors are living a life you can only dream of. And you fall in love with it, and them. Movies are an escape from reality and after watching, you always pretend that your life is one. Sad movies, however, are another species. An evil species. A species that shouldn’t exist because it is just not fair. It’s not fair that movies cannot end happy and have to kill of the best character. It’s not fair that everyone has to end sad and that you have to cry about fictional characters and fictional lives. Here are the five stages that one goes through watching these tragedies… especially if you’re a crier.
1. The Innocence Stage
The first stage. The innocence. The pure joy. The movie is beautiful and everyone is happy. No one sees the impending doom that will soon come. You must savor this stage for as long as possible. The characters are happy, you’re happy. The thought of tissues or tears is distant in your mind and you think everything will end well.
2. The Feels Stage
This is where the dreadful inkling of tragedy starts to enter your mind. You start to see characters fade away and change, and your mindset begins to change. You think, “there is no way this can be sad… it’s all going to be fine.” You think that things will turn around in at any second and that everything will go back to being happy and joyful.
3. The Denial Stage
Your mind begins to play games. There is no way your favorite character will die. There is no way that no one will survive. There is no way that this movie is sad. You just won’t have it and you know the outcome will be positive. You see a small sliver of hope that confirms your thoughts and you are 100 percent sure that this will not end tragically.
4. The First Few Tears Stage
Small little events happen and the first few tears slide down. You see that there could be a few sad scenes but don't worry too much, you're still in denial.
5. The Realization Stage
You start to see that this movie really is about to be tragic and that your favorite character may not survive the coming evils that they will face. You start to see that everything is not okay and no one is happy. The thoughts start to enter your mind and you realize that you may be needing those tissues and a glass of wine after this, but you begin to accept it, sadly.
6. The Denial Stage (part 2)
The realization has actually not hit. There was a few funny scenes and that silver of hope for a happy ending is back.
7. The Wine Stage
You have made you're way to the fridge and have grabbed that bottle of wine. You realize now that the sadness will hit and you need to drink it away. The wine is your only comfort and you feel a love that nothing else can bring.
8. The Eyes Water Stage
Your eyes have filled with tears and you can't help it now. Your eyes have filled and there is no stopping the water works. It won't end happy, and neither will you.
9. The "I know this is over" Stage
You know that this is the end. The sadness has hit and there is no way that you will find comfort. You mentally accept the fact that you will feel such loss when this is over and there is nothing you can do about it.
10. The Tearful Acceptance Stage
The tears have finally arrived. The tissues are needed. You’re on your fourth glass. The movie ended up being sad, even if you didn’t want it to be. And the ending took you by surprise, even though there were hints throughout the entire film. You can’t help but release the sobs. You connected to the characters. To their life. And now it’s all over and you can’t help but feel a sense of sadness… a sense of loss.
You will watch the movie again though, and as much as you want to, the ending will not change and more tears will come. Just let it happen. It is okay and there is no shame in crying in these movies. No matter what happens, if you're a crier... you're a crier.
