There will be NO spoilers of any kind in this post. But are spoilers ever a good thing? To Spoil or Not to Spoil, that is the question!
I was reading an article recently (which may be behind a paywall) about a guy in Spain who has been posting Game of Thrones spoilers. His predictions (or leaks?) were so accurate that HBO flew a representative to meet with him and try to convince him to sign an agreement to stop posting them.
This got me thinking about spoilers. Obviously you should never spoil someone else’s surprise without their consent. But when it comes to seeking out spoilers myself, I am of two minds. I acknowledge that being surprised is fun. I recently watched the last two episodes of Riverdale, a show I enjoy but am not deeply invested in, and I loved the reveals in those episodes.
I am also a rather anxious person, though, and being anxious is not fun. So I have realized that I like surprises about things that don’t make me worried, like a baby’s gender or who is the Goblin King. But I prefer (and actually seek out) spoilers about things that make me anxious, like the fate of a favorite character. Or whether a book I’m about to read is going to just be a little sad or completely depressing.
The GoT article I referenced above cited a 2016 study done at the University of California San Diego which found that having spoilers can enhance the viewing or reading experience. The study’s author argued that predictability is enjoyable, but also that knowing where the story is going helps you appreciate and understand it better.
I agree with this – I often think that books that rely on a huge twist spend so much time hiding the twist or setting it up that other parts of the story can suffer. I think that sometimes these surprise reveals can leave you confused and befuddled. And I’d also argue that sometimes, if you know what is coming, the waiting for it is even better. I often post spoilers (hidden, of course!) in my Goodreads reviews so that people like me can seek them out.
How do you feel about spoilers? To spoil or not to spoil? Tell me in comments!
If I’m really invested in a book, or any media, I avoid all spoilers. If I’m indifferent I usually don’t care. I try not to read spoilers because then I feel like I’m just “waiting” for the moment I found out about.
Yes, that’s how I feel – if I’m indifferent to being surprised, I don’t mind knowing. And the waiting is a good point – that could be the case!
I read that article, too, and was surprised at the findings that spoilers can enhance the experience. I’m not militant about it, but I do my best to avoid spoilers. I want a story to unfold without knowing what’s coming. Typically, if I’m spoiled and I know what’s coming I feel like, what’s the point of reading/watching?
Sometimes I like being surprised, but other times I really want to know. Sometimes if I think a twist will be one I won’t like, I actually go on Goodreads looking for spoilers!
I agree that there is enjoyment in predictability. I find it comforting, but I also like a good twist, that I didn’t see coming. Seeking out and making that choice to read a spoiler is one thing, but something being revealed without any warning frustrates me. I am always surprised to see big plot points included in trade reviews. It’s one of the reasons why I really don’t read reviews prior to reading a book, unless written by someone I know won’t spoil anything for me.
I also try to avoid reviews prior to reading, because what one person considers a spoiler, another might not. And why do they put them in the synopsis/blurb????
Unless it’s going to be gory or too scary, I don’t want spoilers. Ever. I check with family/friends for the gory/scary, they know my limit and if it’s too much I definitely want to know.
Personally I do not feel that spoilers enhance my reading/viewing. Oftentimes I give up on a book/movie/tv if I know the big twist or the ending (unless it’s a romance, because hello? They always get together) (but if they don’t, you better tell me). The thrill for me is finding out that ending as it’s told.
I will put out there that I don’t do a ton of suspense so maybe if I did more I’d feel differently.
That’s a good point about genre. Some books are meant to be comforting and predictable.
Yes! I do that! If I’m reading a book that’s making me anxious, I’ll skip ahead to see what happens, and then I’ll go back and finish the book. It’s like I need to take the stress out of the story so I can fully enjoy it. I also don’t mind spoilers in television shows or movies, and actually prefer knowing what to expect. Surprises really aren’t my thing, but I would never intentionally spoil the fun for someone else.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
Exactly. I never post spoilers (except under protection on GR to help others like me) but I really, really appreciate being able to find them.
I’m with you on that I sometimes like spoilers… I’m the type who will flick to the end of a book to see what happens so I can prepare myself for the journey. Otherwise, I’m too stressed, lol.
Yay – someone who can understand! I get that most people hate spoilers but sometimes I need to know ahead of time!
How interesting—I wouldn’t consider posting guesses about what’s going to happen the same as spoilers, and I would think those types of posts would be great. My predictions posts (which I also call spoiler-filled reviews) for the Three Dark Crowns series are hands-down the most popular posts to ever go up on my blog! People want to talk about the books and guess what’s going to happen next.
As far as ACTUAL spoilers go, I agree to some extent. Take GoT as an example. I’m only on season 4, and avoiding spoilers for the recent season has been IMPOSSIBLE! I try really hard to skim past any references to the show, but I’ve still managed to see a few choice bits, including a gif of a certain character who dies in the finale. BUT that doesn’t make me not want to watch it—in fact, it’s made me more eager to watch so I can see how it all ends up that way!
I think there is no problem with speculation. The problem was that his “predictions” turned out to be really accurate. So HBO thought someone was leaking to him and worried about the final season.
I read book one of GoT, looked up the spoilers, and then didn’t read anymore. But as I understand it, the final season is no longer based on the books so nobody knew except the actors, crew, writers … and the mysterious doctor!
I’m honestly on the fence about this one. WHile on one hand, I don’t want someone to ruin it FOR ME, I am anxious like you, and sometimes seek it out.
There main difference here is that it’s MY choice. I want to choose whether or not to be spoiled on something.
Completely agree that it should be a choice – but I wish more people would include (protected) spoilers in their reviews so I could look if I wanted!
I won’t spoil anythign for anyone else but I’m a last page first kind of gal lol
it’s very rare that I trust an author (or tv show with an ending) so I feel better knowing. But not EVERYTHING – just minor spoilers.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
There are certain things I need to know – if an illness book is going to end badly, or a favorite character get killed off.