In an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, the film's stars, who currently star in the Netflix thriller "The Rip", described how the streaming giant wants films to be adapted - with early explosions and overly clear, repetitive dialogue - for an audience that often watches on multiple screens at the same time.
Screenwriters have previously made similar accusations against Netflix, which has declined to comment. Film critic Caroline Hainer says it is obvious that this is true.
We see many examples of that being true, she says.
According to Hainer, one such example is Netflix's popular rom-com series "Nobody Wants This".
It's short episodes with overly obvious characters who repeat much of what they're supposed to do and say. But it was a success.
“Extremely cynical”
An extremely cynical approach, says cultural journalist Karin Svensson.
At the same time, this is the logic the TikTok format is based on, to constantly keep people in the flow.
User data from hundreds of millions of subscribers, she notes, gives Netflix a good overview of how viewers behave while watching.
You work hard to cast a wide net with all kinds of content to find what generates revenue.
Stupid?
Caroline Hainer thinks the investment is logical from an economic perspective.
If the idea is to provide programs that people will watch regardless of form, they give you what they promise, she says.
Concerns have been raised about a trend where increasingly dull entertainment is replacing quality content. But Caroline Hainer sees more ways to tell stories.
I don't think it has to be a sign of cultural twilight that a movie or series allows me not to be 100 percent engaged. It's sad that we've lost the ability to concentrate, but that doesn't mean we're not also interested in quality.
