The rise and decline of MoviePass has been the stuff of moving pictures: A brash upstart shifts the paradigm and sets hearts aflutter before quickly learning it can’t take on City Hall, i.e., theater chains. After a montage of past-due notices and shots of executives at Helios & Matheson, MoviePass’ parent company, turning their empty pockets inside out, we watch as the hero lives long enough to become the villain. Roll credits.
Before we get to a title card that reads “Thanos will return… but you’ll need to pay full price or otherwise subscribe to a different service to see him kick some more Avenger ass,” there’s yet another development that could be rolled into this financial disaster film. According to the New York Post (via /Film), the movie-ticketing service is now severely limiting subscriber options, offering a choice between just two movies: Slender Man and Mission: Impossible—Fallout. Bah, you say, that’s no choice at all—and you’re right, but for the wrong reasons. Obviously, we’d much rather watch Henry Cavill pump his guns than see the latest cinematic dreck inspired by creepypasta, but what MoviePass is actually offering is the chance to see the former at an odd hour, or the latter at basically any time you’d like (“never” is not an option).
MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe explained the decision to The Post, saying “Unfortunately, in order to stay financially stable we’ve had to curtail the service. We had to right the ship as far as the amount of money we were burning.” Though subscribers are still limited to three movies a month, Lowe claims the inconvenient showtimes aren’t the new norm. Unfortunately, given MoviePass’ track record—including an oft-crashing app—we’re inclined to think things are just going to get worse.