Ever since quarantine started, many people have been using Netflix Party, a Google Chrome extension that allows users to watch Netflix and chat simultaneously. The extension synchronizes video playback and perfectly mirrors the screen of the person who started the “party.” Users have the option to customize their avatars and name while chatting. According to the Netflix Party’s website, “over 1,000,000” people use the service.

On the Google Web store, the extension only has two and a half stars, with several reviews such as one from Damian Carbert saying that the extension “doesn’t work” and “doesn’t sync up [videos]”. Other reviewers “love Netflix Party” like Noah Webb.

I decided I would give Netflix Party a try, so I downloaded the extension within seconds and I was then ready to start my “party”. I watched “Outer Banks,” a new Netflix Original series that is currently ranked number two for most watched in the United States today on the streaming site. I invited five friends to my “party” and they easily joined. Watching the show with my friends reminded me of the movie nights we had together and made me feel connected with them during such an isolated time.

While my friends and I did run into a few playback issues — such as having to resend the “party” link when every new episode started — I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Using Netflix Party was much easier than the old school way of having to try to perfectly sync up videos by agreeing when to press play with friends miles away.

The other alternative — setting up a Zoom meeting and screen sharing — also proves to be inferior to Netflix party. While screen sharing video through Zoom you can expect a glitchy experience with audio that is far behind the video playback.

While Netflix Party is not perfect, it is pretty close. The extension is worth the few hiccups in their system.  It is a simple way to recreate movie nights that can no longer happen due to social distancing measures as a result of the novel coronavirus. Using Netflix Party was a fun and pain-free way to reconnect with friends through using the chat feature and cracking jokes along the way.

Overall, Netflix Party is definitely a party.