Hollywood’s longtime friends and collaborators Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are back in the spotlight — not just for their new action thriller The Rip, but for their candid take on how streaming platforms are changing the way movies are made. While promoting their latest film, the duo shared contrasting views on whether modern streaming demands are improving or hurting cinematic storytelling.
During an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Matt Damon explained that filmmakers today are being pushed to rethink pacing, dialogue, and structure — largely because audiences now consume movies differently at home compared to theatres. Damon revealed that traditional action films once followed a clear rhythm: slow build-ups leading to a grand finale.
He explained that earlier, filmmakers would focus their biggest budget and energy on a massive third-act climax. However, in today’s streaming era, platforms want instant engagement. Damon noted that streamers now prefer big action moments within the first few minutes to prevent viewers from clicking away. He also added that repetitive dialogue is often encouraged because many viewers multitask on their phones while watching, making subtle storytelling less effective.
While Damon acknowledged this shift as a reality of modern viewing habits, Ben Affleck wasn’t entirely convinced that storytelling must bend to these trends. Affleck cited Netflix’s critically acclaimed series Adolescence as proof that slow, atmospheric, and emotionally intense storytelling can still captivate audiences without relying on constant action or repeated exposition.
Affleck pointed out that Adolescence didn’t follow any of the so-called “streaming tricks.” Instead, it embraced long silent scenes, minimal dialogue, and emotionally heavy moments — including extended shots of characters sitting in silence. Despite its slow pacing, the show received widespread praise, demonstrating that audiences still appreciate bold, unconventional storytelling.
Damon agreed that projects like Adolescence are exceptions but maintained that most streaming platforms continue to push for quick hooks and constant stimulation. Affleck, however, insisted that the show proves creators don’t always need to follow algorithm-driven formulas to succeed.
Their discussion has sparked wider conversation in the industry about the growing influence of streaming platforms on creative decisions — from screenplay structure to editing styles.
In The Rip, Damon and Affleck portray two police officers working in the narcotics unit of the Miami-Dade Police Department. The action thriller also features an ensemble cast including Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, and Kyle Chandler. Directed as a high-intensity crime drama, the film blends action, suspense, and moral conflict.
The Rip was released on Netflix on January 16 and has already attracted attention not just for its gripping storyline, but for the real-world debate its stars have ignited about the future of filmmaking in the streaming era.