MoviePass is taking Halloween a little too seriously. After a gradual fall from grace, the company—which, in a former life, allowed users to see a range of movies in a range of theaters for only $10 each month—is somehow still kicking, and still switching tactics in an attempt to keep its users from jumping ship. One of those new, recently announced tactics? E-mailing users who have already tried to quit MoviePass and alerting them that they are part of a select test group who will have their MoviePass services restored unless they opt out again. Its October, and everythings rising from the dead.
“Because we really hope you begin enjoying your MoviePass subscription again, we have chosen you to be a part of a select test group,” the MoviePass e-mail read, “who beginning Friday, October 5th will be restored to unlimited movies (up to one new movie title per day based on existing inventory) — the same subscription that you signed up for and you previously enjoyed. If you decide that you do not want this you must opt out before Thursday, October 4th at 9:00 p.m. EDT.”
Former users received the e-mail from MoviePass on Friday, sharing screenshots of the message and voicing their disbelief and frustration on Twitter.
Representatives for MoviePass sent Vanity Fair the following statement:
“MoviePass sent an email offer on September 28, 2018 to a set of members who had not yet opted-in to the new offering of three movies per month. The offer was the opportunity to restore their original unlimited plan (up to one new movie title per day based on existing inventory) — the subscription plan they had originally signed up for. This was a one-time promotional offer that is valid through October 5 for some subscribers, many of whom have expressed an interest in the original plan and a request for its return. As part of the offer, if the member does not wish to return to the original plan, they can simply opt-out in the email prior to October 5 and they will not be auto-charged.
There are a number of members who received the email from whom we have previously received conflicting indications over the last several months — having initially opted-out and then opting back in as we tweaked the offering. We had left their accounts suspended in an abundance of caution and are now offering them the opportunity to return to the plan that they originally liked.”
This is far from the first time the company has caught flak for account issues: in August, some users who canceled their accounts realized that the company had not only failed to cancel their subscriptions, but had also re-enrolled them in a new payment plan. One user in particular claimed that when they tried to cancel service in the MoviePass app, the function was not available. The company apologized for the inconvenience in a statement, blaming bugs that were allegedly messing with the cancellation process. “All cancellation requests are being correctly processed and no members were being blocked from canceling their accounts,” the statement continued.
This latest cancellation issue is just one of the many problems that have painted MoviePass as an unstable company on its last legs. Its become an unreliable service due to constant policy changes, dwindling offerings, and ever-changing rules about when and where users can actually see the few movies that are made increasingly available through the app. All of that, combined with the fact that other companies like AMC have swooped in with theater subscription plans of their own, has pushed MoviePass toward the brink of death for the last few months now. But the company refuses to die just yet—even if it cant necessarily give its users the option of seeing the various horror films that are about to start crowding screens.
Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Yohana DestaYohana Desta is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com.
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