Films' audiences cannot interact directly with the actors in a performance as can the audiences of plays. Therefore, filmmakers do not use a Chorus and must use less direct means of involving the audience in their production. In The Immigrant, Charlie Chaplin connects with the audience by showing the audience details that others in the story cannot see.

The first instance of this is when he is gambling on the boat. The viewers can see his dice and card tricks to a greater extent than the characters in the film. He faces the camera as he plays, making it seem as though he is performing for or playing with the audience.

Later in the film, the audience sees the coin drop from Chaplin's pocket as he enters a restaurant. Not even Chaplin's character notices this, but showing it to the audience allows them to anticipate what might happen later in the scene, thereby involving them in the story.

In the same scene, unnoticed to anyone within the film, the camera captures Chaplin dropping beans into his coffee. That detail is included for the sole benefit of the viewers.

Another way Chaplin connects with the audience is through "eye contact," simulated by looking into the camera. The first time Chaplin creates an "eye contact" effect is at the very beginning of the film, when he grins at the camera, happily showing the audience the fish he just caught.

Also later, he looks into the camera throughout the scene where he starts hiccupping with the man sitting next to him. Looking at the camera creates the impression that Chaplin is imitating the hiccupping man as a friendly joke with the audience.