Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Expose Netflix’s Action Film Formula

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, the duo behind the latest Netflix action flick The Rip, have offered a rare glimpse into the streaming giant’s behind-the-scenes influence. Appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience, the pair reflected on their long-standing collaboration and how the landscape has shifted since their early days in the industry. Their first major joint project even bagged them an Oscar for writing, but the rules of the game have changed rather a lot since then.

Damon, in particular, mused on the difference between watching films at home and in the cinema, suggesting that the way audiences consume content now has a direct impact on how it’s made. Drawing on his experience with The Rip, he described some of the more unexpected requests from Netflix:

"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. And they kinda ramp up to the big one with all the explosions. You spend most of your money on that one in the third act. That's your kind of finale.

And now they're like, 'Can we get a big one in the first five minutes? We want people to stay tuned in. 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.'"

Anyone familiar with the Netflix ‘house style’ will recognise what Damon’s getting at. It’s not just about the visuals; there’s a certain sameness to the pacing and characterisation, too. Stories are often pared down, with little room for subtlety or complexity. The aim, it seems, is to keep things digestible, even if that means repeating key plot points for viewers who might be distracted by their mobiles.

Netflix’s Blueprint: Fast Starts and Repetition

Affleck and Damon’s comments highlight a shift in priorities. Where once the big set piece was reserved for the climax, now there’s pressure to deliver spectacle almost immediately. The thinking is simple: grab attention before viewers have a chance to click away. Dialogue, too, is shaped by the assumption that audiences are only half-watching, so important details are hammered home repeatedly.

This approach, while effective in keeping people from drifting off, can leave stories feeling a bit thin. The focus is on instant engagement rather than slow-burn tension or character development. It’s a formula that’s become increasingly familiar to anyone who’s spent time browsing the platform’s original offerings.

Exceptions to the Rule: When Netflix Breaks Its Own Mould

Yet, as Affleck was quick to point out, there are outliers. He cited Adolescence as a rare example of a series that refuses to play by these rules:

"But then you look at Adolescence, and it didn't do any of that sh-t. And it's f-ing 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, and there are long shots of the back of their heads. They get in the car, nobody says anything."

Damon agreed, calling the show “more like the exception” and “masterfully made.” Affleck added,

“It demonstrates that you don't need to do any of that sh-t.”

Adolescence, with its moody silences and refusal to spoon-feed the audience, stands in stark contrast to the prevailing trend. It’s proof, if any were needed, that there’s still room for nuance and risk-taking, even within the confines of a streaming service known for its formulaic output.