Gen Z's Struggle with Sustained Attention in Film Viewing Amid Short-Form Content Dominance

Zoe Yu, a Harvard College student and writer, reflects on the challenges of maintaining focus while watching films, using a personal anecdote about viewing the 2025 movie 'Sentimental Value' with friends who quickly turned to their phones. She notes a broader trend where attention spans are declining, driven by the rise of mobile-first, short-form content. A YouGov survey from early 2026 indicates that 85% of individuals aged 16 to 24 consume short-form media weekly, with 70% opting for clips over full-length shows or movies. Platforms like TikTok enable users to watch condensed versions of series or films at accelerated speeds, prioritizing dramatic moments. Streaming services, including Netflix, are adapting by catering to casual viewers who multitask. The article highlights cognitive impacts, citing a 2025 American Psychological Association study that links short-form video consumption to reduced focus on slower-paced media, a phenomenon colloquially termed 'brainrot.' In response, some Gen Zers are embracing long-form content, with trends like documenting media consumption without distractions and using apps like Opal, which has over 4 million users, or devices like The Brick to limit phone use. The piece emphasizes that films such as 'Sentimental Value,' directed by Joachim Trier, demand uninterrupted attention to appreciate subtle details, contrasting with the bite-sized nature of social media clips.