Matt Damon Criticizes Netflix for Over-Explaining Movie Plots: ‘People Are on Their Phones’

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck recently spoke with Joe Rogan on the “Joe Rogan Experience” to promote their new Netflix film, The Rip, and they shared their thoughts on how streaming is changing Hollywood.

Damon explained that making movies for Netflix is very different from theatrical releases because viewers don’t give their full attention at home. According to him, the platform wants big action scenes early in a film and even suggests repeating the plot multiple times in dialogue.

“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,” Damon said. “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. And it wouldn’t be terrible if you reiterated the plot three or four times in the dialogue because people are on their phones while they’re watching.’”

Affleck jumped in to add that not all Netflix content follows this formula. He pointed to the recent hit limited series Adolescence as an example of a show that breaks these rules but still succeeds. “But then you look at ‘Adolescence,’ and it didn’t do any of that s****,” Affleck said. “And it’s f**** 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.”

Damon admitted that shows like Adolescence are rare. “It’s the exception,” he said. Affleck countered that it proves Netflix doesn’t need to force viewers to follow certain tricks to make a series work.

The conversation highlights the tension between traditional storytelling and streaming strategies, showing how the rise of platforms like Netflix is influencing everything from pacing to dialogue.

What do you think? Are these Netflix strategies ruining movies, or are they just adapting to how people watch today? Share your thoughts in the comments.