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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Big Budgets, Bland Results
- Netflix-funded blockbusters often aim for mass appeal and end up feeling generic and forgettable.
- The Electric State and similar films illustrate how huge budgets don't prevent algorithmic sameness.
Alt-Genres Replace Star Ratings
- Netflix built a vast tagging system of alt-genres to personalize recommendations instead of five-star ratings.
- The platform now uses thousands of micro-tags and viewing behavior to surface titles to users.
Behavior Beats Ratings
- Netflix tracks massive granular data like device, time of day, and rewatch rates to predict viewing.
- This behavioral data shifted recommendations from explicit ratings to implicit signals.
