In a recent appearance on the podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, Matt Damon revealed a concerning aspect about the narrative in Netflix productions. According to the actor, the series and movies on the platform seem to be designed to capture the attention of viewers who, distracted by their phones, require over-explanations and simplistic narratives, which reduces the subtlety of the content. This approach could compromise the quality of the stories presented, prioritizing accessibility and immediate appeal over narrative complexity.
Movies are becoming simpler
Damon emphasized that traditionally, action movies followed a classic structure with three key scenes spread throughout the film. However, this scheme seems to be falling out of favor within Netflix’s strategy. Ben Affleck, joining Damon in the conversation, highlighted the success of the series Adolescence, which breaks these commercial norms and has been very well received, despite its darker and more intense approach. Affleck expressed surprise at the series’ ability to attract an audience without resorting to the platform’s usual tactics.
Despite the criticism regarding the lack of depth in many productions, Netflix has maintained a steady commercial success, suggesting that its approach might be working. However, some creative talents like Rian Johnson and Guillermo del Toro find the possibility to explore more complex narratives under the platform’s mantle. In this context, the question arises: can mass-produced productions coexist with those that prioritize narrative quality? The story of Adolescencia suggests that, indeed, there is room for the success of unconventional projects in a world where the viewer may be more focused on their mobile than on the screen.
