When Ella James, a resident of London, decided to capture a video while intoxicated on her bus ride home, she had high hopes for a cinematic gem. However, upon sober reflection, the reality was quite different.
The video, uploaded to TikTok under the username @thejokerscrazygirl, quickly went viral, amassing 3.2 million views. In the 18-second clip, James attempted a dramatic camera spin from the bus's view to herself and back, but the result was more comedic than she anticipated, with a jerky, fast-then-slow motion and her glazed eyes staring at the camera.
"I didn't remember taking the video until I saw it in my drafts the day after," James told Newsweek. "When watching it back I thought it was funny and relatable. Although at the time, I genuinely thought it would be a good shot. I didn't expect the video to blow up as much as it did. The reaction from TikTok was surprising."
The video elicited various responses from viewers, with some appreciating the artistic vision, while others found it relatable to their own drunken escapades. Comments ranged from "there was a vision tbh" to "Everything is a vibe when you're drunk."
Alcohol's cognitive effects can alter our perception, impairing our ability to foresee the consequences of our actions. This can lead to humorous mishaps like James' video or, in more serious cases, risky decisions.
Despite the unintended outcome, viewers found joy in James' video, with one humorously noting, "Nobody's on but the lights are home," and another commenting, "The way we can see ur thoughts moving in slow motion."
Many could relate, sharing their own drunken phone mishaps. One TikToker recalled, "I was drunk at the pub and thought I found good lighting and took selfies, they were tragic."