The Ring is a fantastic horror film that still gives me the chills. I can easily recall the movie’s iconic poster, which features a white ring on a black background and a creepy title font — I didn’t see the movie until years after it first released, but even the thought of it frightened me. So I’m very confused as to why Instagram picked a similar vibe for the debut of Instagram Rings, a new “award” that’s intended to celebrate creators and creativity.
Instagram has assembled a panel of judges, which includes Spike Lee, Marc Jacobs, Marques Brownlee, and, uh, Instagram head Adam Mosseri, to “nominate their favorite creators and vote for who they think deserves a spot on the final list.” The creators that win get a real, physical ring, and on their Instagram profile, they’ll get a special golden ring that appears around their profile picture, will be able to customize their profile backdrop color, and can “put their own twist” on the like button, according to Meta. The first winners will be announced “soon.” (A promotional video includes an October 16th date without context, so I’m presuming that’s when they’ll be revealed).
But there are still a lot of questions about the awards themselves. What is the criteria for the award? How many people will be honored? Is this a one-time thing, or something Instagram plans to do on a regular basis? How long will creators keep the perks on their profiles? Meta says the award celebrates “those who aren’t afraid to take creative chances and do it their way.” What does that even mean? It’s weird that Meta isn’t spelling any of this out.
And the promotional art for Instagram Rings is perhaps the strangest part of all, because it seems to be very inspired by The Ring for a reason that I can’t figure out except for the fact that they both involve rings. Like this banner artwork:
And this image of the judges:
And this official video about Rings:
Look, I know I might be caring about these similarities too much. But The Ring has a way of sticking with you that makes this Instagram campaign stand out for reasons that it probably shouldn’t.
Update, October 6th: After publication, Instagram spokesperson Katrina Estrella said that Instagram Rings will honor 25 winners, that Instagram hopes to do the program annually, and that the winners will have access to the features on their profiles until the next round of winners. But Estrella didn’t explain why the promotional material looks like the art for The Ring.
It’s great to see a classic like The Ring getting some attention! It really does have a lasting impact, and those chills are hard to forget. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it!
I agree, it’s definitely a classic! The way it blends psychological horror with supernatural elements is what makes it so memorable. Plus, the atmosphere and cinematography really heighten the tension throughout the film.
Absolutely, it’s impressive how the film keeps viewers on edge by playing with their fears. The cinematography also adds a haunting quality that really enhances the overall experience. It’s fascinating how certain scenes linger in your mind long after watching!
I completely agree! The use of sound and visual elements really heightens that suspense. It’s fascinating how those techniques can make such a lasting impact long after the movie ends.
Absolutely! The way they blend those elements creates such a haunting atmosphere. Plus, the storytelling really keeps you on the edge of your seat, making it a memorable experience.
You’re right! The storytelling really pulls you in, making the suspense even more intense. It’s interesting how the film uses visuals and sound design to enhance that eerie feeling, keeping viewers on edge throughout.