The story of YouTube is both inspirational and cautionary; the video-sharing website appeared in 2005 and quickly grew to become one of the most ubiquitous and powerful media platforms in the world. It is impossible to overstate its impact on global culture by providing easy and immediate access to news, entertainment media and other vital forms of information. It has, however, helped radicalize some of its viewers with right-wing propaganda and other dangerous forms of media. This particular story exemplifies one of the great dilemmas of our times; the technology revolution has made our lives easier and more enriched, while also presenting dangers and challenges that make the world a more perilous place. And at this extraordinary moment in history, it is the story of how we got here and where we’re going.

In this eye-opening documentary, filmmaker and actor Alex Winter (ZAPPA, BILL & TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE, THE LOST BOYS) presents a thoughtful, troubling look at YouTube, a site with humble origins that has gone on to change how we experience the world.

Alex Winter will be joining us for a live via the internet for a Q&A immediately following the film.

“Core concern about its [Youtube] dangers is what really drives The YouTube Effect, and re-enforces its central finding that it has had an undeniably corrosive effect on our lives, even as we’ve fallen for its steady stream of pablum and bootlegged shows.” (Austin Chronicle)

“[The film might] be a catalog of very recent history, but it serves the valuable function of connecting the many, seemingly randomly assorted dots into a clear narrative picture.” (The Wrap)

“The film is informationally dense; it must have been exhausting to put together, and watching it all at once highlights just what a roller-coaster ride life with YouTube has been.” (Eye For Film)

“It is a brutal eras tour through recent, sordid history; one you likely remember and may not be ready to revisit.” (The Daily Dot)

Wednesday, August 2
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets HERE
This film is preceded by a documentary short, “The Court Watchers”

THE YOUTUBE EFFECT (Alex Winter, 2023 / 99 mins / PG) Director Alex Winter explores the ascension and acceleration of YouTube, a video-sharing website that started with humble origins and has gone on to change how we experience the world. With exclusive access to some of YouTube’s biggest stars, the film presents an eye-opening and troubling look at the platform now so powerfully embedded in our lives.

*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and Rio Theatre passes are OK for any single film screening only. Please redeem at the box office.
*Online sales end an hour before showtime; unless otherwise noted, tickets are always available for purchase at the box office prior to showtime.  Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats and time for treats. All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale.
*If you are looking to redeem either a Rio Theatre gift certificate or Groupon to any regular Rio Theatre screening: You can either email us in advance <[email protected]> and give us a “heads up,” or do it at the box office prior to showtime. (We seat 400+ people and our regular screenings are very rarely at capacity – you should not have issues being admitted.)