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Matt Damon Criticizes Netflix Filmmaking Rules as ‘The Rip’ Leads the Platform

He argues platform metrics push early spectacle with dialogue built to re-explain the plot for phone-first viewing.

Overview

  • Speaking on the Joe Rogan podcast, Damon said Netflix urges a major action beat within the first five minutes to keep viewers from dropping off.
  • He added that filmmakers are asked to repeat key story points in dialogue three or four times because many viewers watch while looking at their phones.
  • Despite his criticism, The Rip is currently the top movie on Netflix, underscoring the commercial pull of the approach he described.
  • Damon and Ben Affleck contrasted the distracted home environment with the focused experience of theaters, which they say supports subtler storytelling.
  • Affleck cited Netflix’s miniseries Adolescence as a counterexample that avoided these tactics yet drew huge audiences and awards, while reports note the duo also negotiated success bonuses for their crew on The Rip.