Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Spill on Netflix’s Action Film Formula

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, the well-known duo behind the latest Netflix action flick The Rip, have given a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the streaming giant shapes the way action films are made these days. Chatting on The Joe Rogan Experience, the pair reflected on their long partnership and how the industry has shifted since their early days, when their first big collaboration even snagged them an Oscar for writing.

Damon reckons the whole experience of watching films at home has changed the way stories are told. He pointed out that the habits of viewers—especially those glued to their phones—have forced filmmakers to rethink their approach. Using The Rip as an example, Damon described some of the more eyebrow-raising requests Netflix had for the project:

“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 who’s spent time with Netflix originals will probably recognise what Damon’s talking about. There’s a certain sameness to a lot of the content—not just in how it looks, but in how the stories are put together. Characters can feel a bit thin, and the focus is on making things easy to follow, even if you’re only half paying attention. It’s a controversial approach, but it’s become the norm. These days, films and series are seen as content, and content needs to be simple to digest.

Exceptions to the Rule

Still, it’s not all cookie-cutter. Affleck was quick to point out that there are a few standouts that don’t play by these rules. He brought up the series Adolescence as a prime example:

“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, saying the show “feels more like the exception” and is “masterfully made.” Affleck added,

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

Changing the Game for Filmmakers

The pair’s comments highlight just how much the streaming era has upended the old ways of making action films. Where once the big set piece was saved for the end, now there’s pressure to hook punters from the get-go. And with so many viewers distracted by their phones, repeating key plot points has become standard practice.

But as Damon and Affleck point out, there’s still room for stories that take their time and trust the audience to pay attention. While these are rare, they show that not every project has to follow the same formula. For filmmakers, it’s a balancing act between meeting the demands of the platform and staying true to their craft.