By Diana Cuza and Gynna Bella. Cover image by Anano Esartia.
The eight most popular reviews on Letterboxd for Nosferatu, Robert Eggers’ newly acclaimed masterpiece, can be summarised in a concise, uncapitalised sentence without punctuation: “nightgown buttoned to the TOP.”
At first glance, this may seem cryptic to anyone who doesn’t actively participate in the online community—especially those on TikTok. Yet, that very sentence by user Clementine has garnered nearly 9,000 likes (and counting) from fellow Letterboxd users who share an inside joke only they can fully appreciate. This review captures the playful and irreverent spirit of Letterboxd—a platform where film reviews and social interactions are more about witty commentary and inside jokes than formal critiques.
But what exactly is Letterboxd? How has this platform, once an unassuming space for logging films, transformed into an internet phenomenon in 2025? The answer lies in its ability to combine a passion for cinema with the spontaneous, meme-driven energy of internet culture. Let’s break down what makes Letterboxd not just a place for film lovers to document what they’ve watched but a vibrant hub for community, creativity, and the joy of cinema.
Inside Letterboxd The Lore Behind the Review
To fully understand the context of the viral Nosferatu review on Letterboxd, we first need to dive into a bit of internet history. The origins of this quirky, cryptic comment trace back to the summer of 2023. It all started when a mysterious Instagram user posted a ‘review’ of their encounter with rapper-singer 070 Shake and her partner, model-actress Lily-Rose Depp.
The review itself was simple yet memorable: the fan described Lily-Rose as looking “crazy” in a “trench coat buttoned to the TOP” and “ballerina ass slippers”, referencing her camel-coloured trench coat and Maison Margiela’s Tabi flat shoes, known for their distinctive split-toe design.
What started as a random Instagram post quickly went viral across platforms like Tumblr, Reddit, and TikTok, transforming into a meme that captured the collective imagination of internet users. The phrase “trench coat buttoned to the TOP” became a popular joke, widely shared among younger TikTok users. This viral moment gained even more attention after it was revealed that Lily-Rose Depp starred in the 2023 Nosferatu remake, further connecting the meme to the film.
So, when you come across the “nightgown buttoned to the TOP” review on Letterboxd, you’re witnessing a blend of celebrity culture, fashion commentary, and the whimsical humour that defines today’s meme landscape. Now you can understand the reference!
Reviewing a Movie Without Actually Reviewing It, this is Letterboxd too
Such is the culture of Letterboxd in 2025. Instead of the traditional, long-winding (and oftentimes, boring) film reviews found on other websites or magazines, Letterboxd is populated by users making witty puns and one-liner jokes to express their reactions to films. Though understanding these comments often requires a degree of familiarity with cinematic and internet culture, this shared experience helps forge connections among users. Whether or not they enjoyed the film is secondary; what truly matters is that people share their thoughts (and humour) freely without the constraints of a word limit or the pressure of making a ‘proper’ review.
In a world where Instagram and TikTok thrive on curated feeds and influencer-driven content, Letterboxd stands out as a space where opinions are raw and spontaneous, prioritising fun over perfect grammar or polished language. The platform has become a place where people can express their feelings, make jokes, and connect over their love (or dislike) of movies in a way that feels refreshingly unfiltered.
How Letterboxd Became a Cult Phenomenon
Arguably, Letterboxd’s rise to a new level of fame can be attributed in part to an effective marketing strategy that targets both cinephiles and younger Internet generations. With The platform maintains official accounts across social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok), ensuring there is something for everyone. Content ranges from funny film memes and cinema news to celebrity interviews and their infamous ‘Letterboxd Four Favourites’. This segment has become so popular that even celebrities now anticipate answering it on the red carpet. It has evolved into an internet culture reference that people share, and it’s even common to ask this question on a first date as a way of getting to know each other.
When “Mainstream” Becomes an Insult
By 2025, Letterbox has emerged as the ‘cool’ social media platform to be on, especially among the internet generation. Despite its growing popularity, it is still perceived as ‘non-mainstream’. While Instagram and TikTok are often viewed as overly exposed, artificial, and overwhelming, Letterboxd offers something different. It’s regarded as unique, hip, cool, and even a little esoteric—qualities that make it stand out in a world saturated with social media.
As social media reaches its saturation point, people are growing tired of seeing the same content, aesthetics, and interests being recycled over and over again. We have entered an era where everyone wants to be special. Being labelled as ‘mainstream’ or ‘basic’ becomes an insult. Uniqueness in personal tastes—whether in clothing, food, places, or media consumption— has become a crucial part of the ‘persona’ that people curate tirelessly in the social media landscape. Letterboxd is seen as a subtle way to express one’s ‘persona’ without being overly exposing, showy, or pretentious.
If we have convinced you to prepare for your Letterboxd experience, here’s everything you need to know about its world.
Why Letterboxd is the Niche Social Media Every Film Buff Needs
1. It’s Fun Without Being Overwhelming
What sets Letterboxd apart from other social media platforms is that it’s enjoyable without feeling overwhelming. Unlike platforms where complicated algorithms dictate what you see (and, let’s be honest, can sometimes rot your brain), Letterboxd keeps things refreshingly simple. There’s no endless stream of irrelevant content designed to keep you scrolling for hours. Instead, it’s all about personalising your film experience and celebrating your love for movies in a way that feels uniquely yours.
2. It’s More Than Just Logging Movies
On Letterboxd, you can do much more than just log the movies you’ve watched. You can organise your library, rate films, write reviews, and even create lists for anything you like—your top “comfort movies,” your “so bad it’s good” favourites, your “Films I wish I could see for the first time again,” or even movies that made you cry. It’s a fun way to express yourself while geeking out over cinema.
One of the most enjoyable features of Letterboxd is the ability to customise movie covers, giving your profile a creative, personal touch that feels more like an art project than a typical social media account.
3. Connecting Through Cinema
The interaction with friends on Letterboxd is also unique—and honestly, better—compared to other platforms. Instead of meaningless likes or fleeting viral trends, Letterboxd fosters meaningful engagement. You can comment on and like each other’s reviews, recommend movies, and even debate your opinions on a film. There’s something incredibly satisfying about when a friend watches something you recommended or when you both discover a shared love for the same underrated gem. This sense of connection over shared cinematic passions is what sets Letterboxd apart.
4. Talking Movies, Not Trends
Unlike other apps that demand hours of your time, Letterboxd allows you to decide how much time to spend—whether it’s 5 minutes or 5 hours, the choice is entirely yours. You don’t need to be online constantly to feel connected or to enjoy the platform. It’s a space to relax, reflect, and just enjoy movies without the pressure of follower counts, number of likes or following certain trends. Having this app is like keeping a digital diary of your film journey, allowing you to look back on what you’ve watched and how you felt about it at that time. And that’s exactly why so many people are hooked; it’s a platform that prioritises creativity and passion over trends, fame and endless scrolling.
Letterboxd celebrates creativity and passion, enhancing the fun of watching films. Once you dive in, you’ll see why it has become such a cherished space for movie lovers.
