Elizabeth Banks spoke about the changes to AMC Theaters seat prices

Elizabeth Banks reacts to AMC Theaters price shake-up.

A week after the national theater chain unveiled a tiered pricing model that charges a premium for ideal theater seats, the “Cocaine Bear” director said it’s a head-scratching move by theaters.

“I don’t really get it,” Banks said Insider. “I think the business model for everything in entertainment is changing right now, so I understand that people are being creative where they can.”

Banks added: “I just want to make sure the widest possible audience can see as many films as possible. So for me it’s about access. I just want us to have as much access to our entertainment as possible. That’s what I do better.”

Banks’ comments are in line with “Lord of the Rings” and “Yellowjackets” star Elijah Wood, who criticized the theater chain for disparity in its pricing models for viewers.

“Cinema is and always has been a sacred democratic space for all, and the new @AMCTheatres initiative would basically penalize people on lower incomes and reward people on higher incomes,” Wood said. he tweeted.

The AMC initiative launched on February 10 in select locations in New York City, Chicago and Kansas City. An AMC spokesperson confirmed that all AMC Theaters locations with reserved seating will follow suit by the end of the year.

The initiative has three pricing tiers. Standard Sightline is described as “those seats most common in auditoriums and available for the price of a traditional ticket,” per AMC. For those who like to sit in the front row, this entitles you to Value Sightline, or “seats in the front row of the auditorium, as well as select ADA seats in all auditoriums,” “at a lower price than Standard Sightline seats.” Value Sightline is only available to those with an AMC Stubs membership, including the free tier.

A third option is the premium-priced Preferred Sightline, or coveted seats “in the middle of the auditorium” “at a premium over standard sightline seats.” If you are a paying AMC Stubs A-List member ($19.95-$24.95 per month), you can reserve Preferred Sightline at no additional cost. For everyone else, it’s an additional $1-$2.

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