Netflix’s influence over modern filmmaking just got called out by one of Hollywood’s biggest names.
Matt Damon recently revealed how the streaming giant is fundamentally reshaping storytelling techniques to accommodate distracted home viewers.
The changes aren’t subtle—they’re affecting everything from action sequences to dialogue structure.
During an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience while promoting his new Netflix crime-thriller The Rip, Damon and longtime collaborator Ben Affleck discussed how streaming platforms are forcing filmmakers to rethink traditional narrative approaches.
Theater Experience Versus Home Viewing
Damon drew a stark contrast between watching films in theaters versus streaming at home.
I went to see One Battle After Another on IMAX — there’s nothing like that feeling. You’re in with, you know, a bunch of strangers, but people in your community, and you’re having this experience together. I always say it’s more like going to church — you show up at an appointed time. It doesn’t wait for you.
Home viewing presents completely different challenges for capturing attention.
You’re watching in a room, the lights are on, other shit’s going on, the kids are running around, the dogs are running around, whatever it is. It’s just a very different level of attention that you’re willing, or that you’re able, to give to it.
Netflix’s New Storytelling Formula
That difference in viewer engagement has prompted Netflix to request specific structural changes from filmmakers.
Damon explained how traditional action movie architecture is being dismantled.
The standard way to make an action movie that we learned was, you usually have three set pieces — one in the first act, one in the second, one in the third. You spend most of your money on that one in the third act. That’s your finale. And now they’re like, ‘Can we get a big one in the first five minutes? We want people to stay.’
But the changes don’t stop at pacing.
The actor revealed that Netflix pushes for repetitive dialogue because viewers are multitasking while watching—specifically scrolling through their phones.
Plot Repetition Becomes Standard Practice
Streamers now request that filmmakers reiterate plot points three or four times throughout dialogue to ensure distracted viewers can follow along.
Damon expressed concern about where this trend is heading.
It’s going to really start to infringe on how we’re telling these stories.
The Counter-Argument: Quality Still Wins
Affleck, who co-founded production company Artists Equity with Damon in 2022, pushed back against the notion that spoon-feeding audiences is necessary.
He pointed to successful streaming content that defies Netflix’s formula.
But then you look at Adolescence, and it didn’t do any of that s—. And it’s f—ing great. And it’s dark too. It’s tragic and intense. [It’s about] this guy who finds out his kid is accused of murder. There are long shots of the back of their heads. They get in the car, nobody says anything.
Affleck argued that the limited series’ success proves streamers don’t need to dumb down content to maintain viewer engagement.
It demonstrates that you don’t need to do any of that s— to get people [to watch].
Streaming Isn’t an Existential Threat
Despite concerns about changing storytelling methods, Affleck doesn’t view streaming as existential danger to filmmaking.
He acknowledged that storytelling evolution was inevitable as theater attendance declined, but maintained confidence in theatrical experiences.
People are still going to go to the movies because of what you said. It feels like a cool thing to do. I’m going to go see The Odyssey, I guarantee you, in a theater, no matter what.
About The Rip
The duo’s latest collaboration explores moral ambiguity through the lens of law enforcement corruption.
In The Rip, Affleck and Damon portray Miami cops whose loyalties face ultimate testing after discovering millions in drug money hidden inside a dilapidated home.
Research-Driven Performance
Both actors spent extensive time with real police officers to prepare for their roles.
Affleck told Entertainment Weekly that research forms the foundation of his most compelling work.
All the stuff that I find surprising and that I tend to be proud of comes from research. I think I’m better skilled at recognizing interesting things from the world that I can put into films than just conjuring up from my imagination something to do.
Damon was drawn to the script’s intricate web of deception and competing motivations.
It was a page-turner. There are these competing agendas, and people aren’t saying exactly what’s going on, and you’re trying to figure out who you can trust, who you can’t, who’s the good guy, who’s the bad guy.
Star-Studded Cast Tackles True Story
The action-packed thriller, based on true events, features an impressive ensemble including:
- Kyle Chandler
- Steven Yeun
- Teyana Taylor (recent Golden Globe winner)
The Rip is currently streaming on Netflix, ironically distributed by the very platform Damon suggests is changing how stories get told.
Whether viewers watch with full attention or distracted by their phones remains to be seen—but the film’s creators clearly understand both sides of modern viewing habits.