Cinema fans in disbelief after hearing theory about how new film stops viewers looking at their phones

One creator's clever editing technique may be stopping viewers from going on their phones during a film, but some aren't buying the theory.

For a lot of people, the cinema is a place to completely switch off from the real world.

As the rules go, you shouldn't really have your phone out at all.

But some fans of a recently-released film have noticed a clever editing technique that may have been designed to keep viewers hooked.

However, others just can't believe that the technique would even need to be a thing because who goes on their phone in the cinema?!

It turns out you might be surprised.

One avid film fan noticed that throughout Conclave, which is about the secret process of electing a new pope after the death of the current pope, there are many transitions that encourage the viewer to keep their eyes on the screen.

Instead of a transition where we see the POV of the character, the fan noticed that in Conclave, we constantly see a change in setting - keeping the audience engaged.

However, others pointed out that this probably has nothing to do with avoiding people switching to their phones.

One social media user said: "This is basic editing. Not something special for phones."

Another added: "If filmmakers have to actively create ways to edit a scene to stop you from checking your phone, you shouldn’t drive to theatre, you should drive to a psychiatrist’s office."

A third commented: "They're not doing this to stop you from checking your phone, they're doing it because it is just good editing.

"If it stops you from checking your phone - good - but if you actually tend to do that while watching a film, I think you need to self-reflect a bit."

Despite this, a lot of people said they would check their phone during a film - but not in a cinema.

One user wrote: "I was on my phone for a lot of this movie lol but I was watching at home. I would never get on my phone in the theatre."

A second shamelessly admitted: "Too bad, I was on the phone for the entire time, playing Subway Surfers."

But one person seriously suggested that people who can't just enjoy a film may have a serious problem.

They said: "If you can’t watch a movie without checking your phone, you are addicted. That is addiction, seriously."