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Netflix Addresses Claims of Dumbing Down Films

Netflix denies requiring creators to 'dumb down' films like 'The Rip,' valuing directorial creativity and respecting their audience's intelligence.

Marcus Thompson · 2 min read

In January, Matt Damon claimed that Netflix had made specific requests during the production of The Rip, insisting on plot repetitions to accommodate mobile viewers. Damon and Ben Affleck, who collaborated with Netflix on the film, maintained that this new storytelling approach involved repeating the plot several times in dialogue because viewers are often distracted by their phones. Conan O'Brien also referenced this alleged simplification in a joke at the recent Oscars. However, Netflix executive Dan Lin has refuted this claim, stating that the company does not force creators to "dumb down" films or make directors repeat plot points through dialogue. Lin said that he and his colleagues "laughed off that moment" at the Oscars, clarifying that "there's no such condition," and adding, "If you watch our films or series, we don't repeat the plot. Therefore, I don't know where that comment came from. We are focused on creating great films.”

Netflix Executives Dismiss Suggestions of Altered Storytelling, Emphasize Audience's Sophistication

Other Netflix executives echoed Lin's sentiment, with Bela Bajaria calling it offensive to suggest that Netflix would ask filmmakers to make such changes or imply that their work would be poorly received otherwise. Jinny Howe added that Netflix treats its audience as "sophisticated and intelligent," implying they are attentive and notice everything.

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