The 20-minute rule for movies

Author Stephen King recently polled his social media followers about what movies they’ve walked out on in theaters. He revealed that he has only walked out on one movie as an adult: “Transformers” (2007).
I’ve walked out on two movies, both critical favorites that sucked: “Smoke Signals” (1998) and “Magnolia” (1999). I’ve been more selective since then.
Home video is a different story. It’s much easier to quit a movie that’s offensive or going nowhere when you’re home.
Years ago, a friend explained his 20-minute rule for movies: If it’s bad after 20 minutes, you should cut your losses and quit it. The chances of it redeeming itself are very slim. He’s proven to be right time and again.
Here are some movies I’ve quit thanks to the 20-minute rule:

• Bad Santa (2003)
• Rampart (2011)
• Under the Skin (2013)
• Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
• The Bad Batch (2016)
• The Wind (2018)
• Crown Vic (2019)
• Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn (2021)