The Audio Long Read Bland, easy to follow, for fans of everything: what has the Netflix algorithm done to our films?
Sep 26, 2025
The discussion delves into how Netflix's algorithm shapes films, often resulting in bland, formulaic content that caters to broad audiences. Examples like 'The Electric State' highlight this trend, as narratives become overly simplistic to accommodate background viewing. The podcast also examines the impact of data-driven decisions on creative processes, pointing to a lack of raw data for creators. Moreover, it explores the economic motivations behind mass-appeal strategies and how exclusive distribution affects indie film financing.
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Opening Scene Rewritten For Data
- Aaron Colite's original Atlas opening featured Jennifer Lopez interrogating a robot head.
- Netflix replaced it with a conventional SWAT raid to better fit attention-window data.
Old Hollywood Problems, New Data
- Streaming-era metrics intensified old studio practices rather than inventing wholly new ones.
- Despite heavy data, executives still selectively interpret metrics to favor projects.
Data Shapes Greenlighting Decisions
- The algorithm often influences commissioning decisions even if creatives aren't shown the data.
- Executives may play safe to avoid risk, producing many formulaic titles.
