Disney Asks Theaters to Warn Viewers About 'Incredibles 2' Flashing Lights
Thanks to a social media campaign, fans walking into the movie theater to see "Incredibles 2" after its massive opening weekend will know in advance about the strobe lights.
Fan Veronica Lewis (@veron4ica) started a Twitter thread that went viral, explaining light-sensitivity issues, and asking Disney-Pixar to post a warning.
According to Variety, it worked. They wrote that "Disney has been notified of the situation and asked all theaters that are showing 'Incredibles 2' to notify patrons of the scene in question."
Here's what Veronica Lewis had posted in her thread:
"HEALTH ALERT I haven't seen this mentioned in a lot of places, but the new Incredibles 2 movie (#incredibles2) is filled with tons of strobe/flashing lights that can cause issues for people with epilepsy, migraines, and chronic illness. This thread is spoiler free.
"So, the villain's weapon of choice in the movie is bright white lights that are at a rapidly flashing/strobing frequency, with the intent to disorient people. One of these scenes lasts over 90 seconds with continuous strobe light, other scenes last anywhere from 5-30 seconds.
These scenes are also spread out across the movie and often come without warning. My descriptive audio device warned me about the larger scenes, but other times it was light strobe lights came out of nowhere for no reason.
I am not calling for a boycott of Incredibles 2, or to change the movie. It is very well done, and the strobe lights are an important point in the plot. I just wish Disney/Pixar and theaters alike would issue a warning that the movie contains several scenes with strobe lights.
Video games, some music videos, live concerts, theme park attractions, and even consumer electronics provide warnings about strobe lighting effects and the potential for seizures and other adverse effects. Why not have the same thing be done for a movie targeted at kids?
Parents have the right to make an informed decision about something that could impact their child's safety and people with chronic illness have the right to learn about potential triggers/make steps to avoid them. Incredibles 2 needs a safety warning at the ticket window for this."
Others with light sensitivity also posted about the issues:
MAJOR SEIZURE WARNING FOR THE INCREDIBLES 2! (no spoilers!)
there are MULTIPLE SCENES with quickly flashing bright light! (one scene was so bad i had to close my eyes and im not epileptic!) PLEASE BE CAREFUL THERE IS NO WARNING IN THE MOVIE #Incredibles2— sarah is okay (@RabalaisSarah) June 17, 2018
I've literally been carried out of movie theater because of flashing lights. There was no trigger warning. There should at LEAST be a trigger warning. #Incredibles2
— Faith Pannell (@sola_fide19) June 16, 2018
#epilepsy js a neurological disorder, I really wanted to see #Incredibles2
But my goal rn is to move 10 steps forward & be seizure free for a year not more 50 steps back & have a seizure for a movie #healthfirst#disabledandproud#activist✊???? https://t.co/1zsBMHkgSe— JessicaMarie ✊???? (@j_chingona) June 18, 2018
I'm seeing the #seizure warning go out for #Incredibles2, and with it a fair number of "just close your eyes".
For photosensitive #epilepsy, this advice isn't just useless, it's harmful. Light filtering through the (red) capillaries of the eyelids *increases* seizure risk.
— Chad and Kisstopher (@TheMusicks) June 16, 2018
I wonder if #Incredibles2 should come with an epilepsy warning? pic.twitter.com/zrpOfbweVk
— Flatbread_Max (@flatbread_yt) June 16, 2018
Here's what the new sign looks like at Regal cinemas:
Thank you @RegalMovies for putting these WARNING SIGNS outside #Incredibles2 @TheIncredibles theaters regarding STROBES that may affect those with #Epilepsy PLEASE RT this WARNING pic.twitter.com/GLvOyfY9Q7
— Greg Grunberg (@greggrunberg) June 16, 2018
After the many tweets traveled the Internet and got the attention of The Mouse House, Veronica Lewis responded with gratitude:
For everyone asking- no, I have not heard from Disney/Pixar about my viral Twitter thread. I know they have already listened by putting up the warnings like I suggested, and for that I cannot thank them enough. #incredibles2
— Veronica Lewis (@veron4ica) June 18, 2018
"Incredibles 2" made over $180 million in its opening weekend at the domestic box office, breaking all kinds of records.
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