In an age where society feels increasingly polarized, angry, and teetering on the edge of violence, the profound need for communal crying in public is instructive. Our emotions are pent up beyond belief, and societal norms that once allowed us to express our feelings collectively have all but vanished.

The ancient Greeks understood the importance of catharsis, an emotional release that maintained one’s mental health and sanity. Attending the theater for a dramatic catharsis was a regular communal event, allowing citizens to vent their emotions safely and collectively.

Today, we find ourselves devoid of socially acceptable outlets for emotional release. What happened to the shared rituals that once permitted the public to release their pent-up feelings in a secure space? The cinema once provided a darkened theater in which audiences could cry together, experiencing a collective emotional catharsis.

Hollywood’s Golden Age produced an entire genre known as “tear-jerkers,” which reliably reduced audiences to sobs. These films offered a space for individuals to show their compassion and humanity, reminding each one that they were individually worthy of compassion, too.

The experience of communal crying is deeply healing. It allows us to feel connected to others and part of the human race. The release of pent-up emotions through crying reduces stress, improves mood, and........

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