Netflix’s approach to audience behaviour is increasingly shaping the way its films are constructed, according to actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who say streaming platforms are responding to viewers’ shrinking attention spans.
The long-time collaborators discussed the issue while appearing on the Joe Rogan Experience to promote their latest Netflix release, ‘The Rip’. Damon suggested that films made for home viewing face different expectations from cinema releases, as audiences are often distracted while watching.
He said Netflix encourages filmmakers to introduce major action sequences much earlier than traditional storytelling models would allow. In the past, action films were typically structured around three major set pieces, with the biggest and most expensive sequence saved for the final act.
That formula, Damon noted, is now being reconsidered, with streamers pushing for a dramatic opening to prevent viewers from switching off. He also said filmmakers are sometimes encouraged to restate plot points through dialogue to ensure the story remains clear even if viewers are not fully attentive.
Affleck acknowledged the reasoning behind the strategy but argued that it is not the only way to engage audiences. He pointed to Netflix’s critically acclaimed series Adolescence as an example of a project that succeeded without relying on constant action or repeated exposition. He described the series as sombre and restrained, using silence and long, quiet scenes to build emotional impact.
The Rip, which premiered on Netflix on January 16, is written and directed by Joe Carnahan and centres on two Miami police officers who uncover a stash of hidden money. The cast includes Damon, Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins and Kyle Chandler.
The comments highlight how streaming platforms may be reshaping mainstream film storytelling to suit changing viewing habits at home.
