Netflix Reportedly Has Bizarre Requirements With Movies for Audiences Not Paying Attention

As a seasoned film critic with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve witnessed the evolution of cinema from black-and-white silent films to the high-definition spectacles we enjoy today. The recent trend in Netflix‘s approach to storytelling, however, has left me scratching my head more often than not.

Netflix’s filmmaking approach incorporates an unconventional guideline: ensure the plot is clear even when viewers are multitasking, such as folding laundry or using their phones. As revealed by an investigation by n+1 magazine, several screenwriters working with Netflix have disclosed a surprising instruction from executives at the streaming platform. The mandate? Characters should clearly express their actions and intentions to cater to viewers who might be passively watching movies as background noise.

In my humble opinion as a movie critic, the unique style of dialogue in recent films such as “Irish Wish” stands out quite prominently. As I’ve observed, this Lindsay Lohan romantic comedy employs an overtly expository approach that makes some of her character’s lines feel more like plot summaries than genuine dialogues.

In the movie, Lohan’s character says, “We spent a day together. I must admit it was an extraordinary day with breathtaking landscapes and tender rain, but that doesn’t justify your doubting my decisions about my life. By the way, tomorrow I will be marrying Paul Kennedy.

The actor’s reply, in turn, underscores the direct method they are using, stating, “Alright. Once this task is completed, you won’t see me again because I’m heading to Bolivia to capture images of a rare tree lizard. This dialogue seems more like signposts for those viewers who might be engaged in multiple tasks at once, rather than contributing to character growth.

This approach coincides with the term “casual viewing” coined by industry experts, which refers to a specific category of content, including light-hearted network sitcoms, reality TV shows, and nature documentaries, on Netflix. As The Hollywood Reporter noted in their review of Atlas, Jennifer Lopez’s 2024 sci-fi project is another Netflix movie that can be easily watched partially while engaging in other activities like doing laundry.

Netflix’s adoption of background viewing is a notable shift from conventional filmmaking, where viewer involvement is crucial. Rather than creating scenes that require full attention, it seems Netflix is intentionally designing content that caters to divided focus, as n+1 puts it, “Tide Pod cinema” – polished products that fade into insignificance. This method permeates the entire production philosophy of the platform. High-ranking Netflix executives are reported to greenlight projects without even reading scripts, viewing content more as background noise than narrative masterpieces. Cindy Holland, one of Ted Sarandos’ first hires and later vice president of original content, once likened their approach to “throwing coal into the side door of a house.

Reports indicate that some top Netflix officials have developed a habit of approving projects without even glancing at the scripts, which could point towards a trend prioritizing volume over story quality. The platform seems to be moving away from crafting cinematic masterpieces and more towards providing a steady flow of content that blends into viewers’ everyday experiences. With streaming becoming increasingly popular for home entertainment, this emphasis on background-friendly viewing might signal a significant transformation in storytelling methods. Whether this trend represents the advancement or dilution of the art form – producing content primarily meant to fill space rather than demand attention – is an ongoing debate.

2024-12-28 05:39

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