Explore Netflix’s fall from Hollywood disruptor to Cable TV 2.0, pivoting from Oscar‑contender prestige films to cheap reality shows and algorithm‑driven binge fodder.
Netflix is no longer in its auteur era. I'm sad something like Fincher's "The Killer" gets buried on there and got such a limited theater release window.
Great article, Jeff! It's sad to see them prioritize reality slop over offering great movies and shows.
Personally, I have two big problems with Netflix. First, their antagonism towards physical media. In working with them, Mike Flanigan said they were hostile to the format, and you can see it in how few Netflix movies & shows make their way to disc.
Second, Netflix's harmful influence on the movie industry. With their practices, their pushing films to become accessible ONLY through a streaming subscription - no physical release, no digital rental, and little to no theatrical showing. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad if they made movies no one cared about, but they’re getting A-list actors and directors.
To that point, I'm heartbroken that the reported Tarantino & Fincher collaboration will be on Netflix, and therefore has a low chance of ever receiving a disc release.
As Netflix is always linked to the death of Blockbuster and video stores, it feels as though it’s appropriate to say they’ve become the Straight-To-Video section. Lower quality, lower budgets, grab the cash.
It’s not just Netflix, honestly most streaming platforms already headed this way. Streaming killed the DVD/Blu-ray safety net, so studios stopped taking risks. No surprise movies feel blander now. That’s why I’m back on physical media. Matt Damon was sadly right it’s a shame.
Had great content in the "old" days as a rental by mail service. Over time great films left and then once streaming kicked into full gear, more of the movies I watch were gone.
I’d be curious to see what the subscriber count looks like year over year for them. While other platforms run sign up promotions. Seems like Netflix is in full IDGAF mode and knows everyone and their mom has already signed up.
Netflix has a whole battery of “producers” with no experience working on shows and movies. They all have their input, which results in generic pablum. All their films have the same plot. I actually think they're using Ai to rewrite the scripts. Everything they do is guided by “the process”.
That's why they have lists if “Approved” cameras,,avd grading wise they all look the same.
They think you can make great product using paint by numbers.
Great article, but I don’t really agree that Netflix is this bad. Netflix’ model is to bring viewers to their platform, not to theaters. They are about TV and TV series mainly. They are loaded with cash, so some content they acquire and produce is going to be less than amazing, but then you have ‘Adolescence’ for example - a series that’s going to sweep award season. On what other platform could ‘Adolescence’ have instantly reached tens of millions of viewers and become a massive success instantly? Nowhere. That’s Netflix’ power.
Netflix is like Spotify is for artists. They don’t love them, they often hate them, but nobody else has that reach.
If you want to make TV that reaches an audience, Netflix is the obvious choice. Are there better distributors for films? Absolutely.
Jeff, that is a spot-on article! Netflix uses their advantage in the global subscriptions, recycled many shows to fill up the screens. Most of them are buried in the library. I think Hulu, Paramount, Max do a better to generate contents, properly they have the physical outlets, such as HBO, CBS, CNN and FX. Netflix has turned to another TLC, Discovery channel. Now, when I want to watch movies, I go to Criterion, Kanopy and Max.
Netflix is no longer in its auteur era. I'm sad something like Fincher's "The Killer" gets buried on there and got such a limited theater release window.
It got buried because it's a shit film.
I liked it! I thought it was kind of a dark comedy
Great article, Jeff! It's sad to see them prioritize reality slop over offering great movies and shows.
Personally, I have two big problems with Netflix. First, their antagonism towards physical media. In working with them, Mike Flanigan said they were hostile to the format, and you can see it in how few Netflix movies & shows make their way to disc.
Second, Netflix's harmful influence on the movie industry. With their practices, their pushing films to become accessible ONLY through a streaming subscription - no physical release, no digital rental, and little to no theatrical showing. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad if they made movies no one cared about, but they’re getting A-list actors and directors.
To that point, I'm heartbroken that the reported Tarantino & Fincher collaboration will be on Netflix, and therefore has a low chance of ever receiving a disc release.
As Netflix is always linked to the death of Blockbuster and video stores, it feels as though it’s appropriate to say they’ve become the Straight-To-Video section. Lower quality, lower budgets, grab the cash.
It’s not just Netflix, honestly most streaming platforms already headed this way. Streaming killed the DVD/Blu-ray safety net, so studios stopped taking risks. No surprise movies feel blander now. That’s why I’m back on physical media. Matt Damon was sadly right it’s a shame.
Had great content in the "old" days as a rental by mail service. Over time great films left and then once streaming kicked into full gear, more of the movies I watch were gone.
I’d be curious to see what the subscriber count looks like year over year for them. While other platforms run sign up promotions. Seems like Netflix is in full IDGAF mode and knows everyone and their mom has already signed up.
Netflix has a whole battery of “producers” with no experience working on shows and movies. They all have their input, which results in generic pablum. All their films have the same plot. I actually think they're using Ai to rewrite the scripts. Everything they do is guided by “the process”.
That's why they have lists if “Approved” cameras,,avd grading wise they all look the same.
They think you can make great product using paint by numbers.
SAD!
Great article, but I don’t really agree that Netflix is this bad. Netflix’ model is to bring viewers to their platform, not to theaters. They are about TV and TV series mainly. They are loaded with cash, so some content they acquire and produce is going to be less than amazing, but then you have ‘Adolescence’ for example - a series that’s going to sweep award season. On what other platform could ‘Adolescence’ have instantly reached tens of millions of viewers and become a massive success instantly? Nowhere. That’s Netflix’ power.
Netflix is like Spotify is for artists. They don’t love them, they often hate them, but nobody else has that reach.
If you want to make TV that reaches an audience, Netflix is the obvious choice. Are there better distributors for films? Absolutely.
Jeff, that is a spot-on article! Netflix uses their advantage in the global subscriptions, recycled many shows to fill up the screens. Most of them are buried in the library. I think Hulu, Paramount, Max do a better to generate contents, properly they have the physical outlets, such as HBO, CBS, CNN and FX. Netflix has turned to another TLC, Discovery channel. Now, when I want to watch movies, I go to Criterion, Kanopy and Max.
I have Netflix for when I want brain candy and Black Mirror, and few other streamers when I want art. Netflix is mostly trash nowadays.