Remember the 90s, when watching a movie wasn’t just pressing play but a whole ritual? For me, growing up in Chile, that ritual meant a trip to the video club. In this new episode of Hunky Tops Talk, I rewind to those days of laminated membership cards, rewinding fines, and choosing movies based only on the VHS cover art.
The big name was Errol’s—with two R’s. It was Chile’s answer to the American chain Erol’s. Later, Errol’s turned into Blockbuster, but the magic of walking to the store, hoping the latest estrenos were still on the shelf, never went away. These clubs weren’t just shops, they were community hubs. Clerks gave you recommendations, neighbors chatted about films, and sometimes the shelves sparked a little teenage curiosity beyond the movies themselves.
Neighborhood clubs kept things even scrappier. Some rented out NES consoles or had their own quirks, like the mysterious adult section hidden behind a curtain. For a queer teen, those places weren’t just entertainment—they hinted at desire, identity, and growing up.
Fast forward to today, and streaming gives us convenience, but it’s lost that sense of ritual. No walk, no card, no clerk’s recommendation. Just endless scrolling. Something about that physical, shared experience is gone, and that’s what I wanted to remember in this episode.
Watch the full episode above, or head over to YouTube here: Hunky Tops Talk Ep. 5: The Video Club Rituals of 90s Chile
If you grew up with video clubs, I’d love to hear your memories. Did you ever rent a game console? Did your family argue over the new releases wall? And, be honest… did you ever sneak behind the curtain? Leave a comment and let’s rewind together.
