Matt Damon Talks Netflix’s Impact on Filmmaking

Actor Matt Damon has expressed concerns about Netflix’s approach to filmmaking, claiming that the platform encourages its movies to repeat plot points “three or four times” within a single scene to attract mobile viewers.

Speaking with his longtime friend and fellow actor Ben Affleck on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Damon was there to promote his new film, “The Rip,” which debuted on Netflix that same day.

In the discussion, Damon noted a significant difference in audience attention between Netflix films and those shown in theaters. He pointed out that Netflix is adapting its filmmaking techniques to engage viewers who might be distracted.

Damon explained, “Typically, action movies are structured around three major set pieces: one in each act. The budget is heavily focused on the finale, the third act. But now they’re asking for something big right in the first five minutes. They want to keep viewers engaged, and it’s okay to repeat the plot a few times during dialogue. After all, many people are on their phones while watching.”

He added, “It’s going to really start to affect the way we tell stories.”

Affleck then mentioned that Netflix’s crime series “Adolescence” didn’t follow those guidelines and still achieved success, but Damon countered that such cases are more of an exception than the norm.

“I guess it shows that you don’t have to follow those rules to bring people together,” Affleck shared.

Affleck, meanwhile, seemed less worried about streaming’s impact on the cinematic experience, emphasizing that it’s not a crisis for theaters. “It’s about supply and demand. People want to scroll on their phones or watch TikTok. They will do that. All you can do is put out the best content possible. If it’s good, people will still go to the movies,” he said.

During the podcast, both actors shared their thoughts on cancel culture, suggesting it’s reached concerning levels. Damon remarked, “Some people might have preferred a period of imprisonment and then emerge to say they’ve served their time. But public vilification can last forever.”

Affleck observed, “To remove the possibility of forgiveness is astonishing. When someone acknowledges their mistake, admitting it should ideally lead to understanding—but instead, it can mean becoming an outcast.”