Netflix Does Have Value In The Film Industry

Netflix has a valuable contribution to the industry beyond being a useful outlet for streaming existing movies/TV series, as it's immensely entertaining and dually relatable original content provides audiences top quality home viewing 

Kiernan Shipka in 'The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' (CREDIT: Netflix)

by Jack Linsdell

Netflix has become a big streaming giant, so much so that young people repeatedly coin the slogan "Netflix and chill" showing how much it's been cemented into our modern culture. And, yes its endured (correct) criticism as being a direct cause for declining cinema numbers and lower box office for movies. Movies are my life and I enjoy nothing more than a trip to the cinema (I often go over 20 times a year), so to hear theatrical moviegoing is slowly dying out is a sad one. However, it's hard for me to criticise Netflix, as I've indulged, enjoyed and been addicted to countless original movies and series they've created (alongside using them as a useful streaming outlet), earning them a lot of respect from myself.

I'd argue, that the only way Netflix is taking customers away from cinemas is only from it's existence as a streaming platform, where members have free and unlimited access to thousands of existing movies and TV shows. In this case, why spend money to see the latest Rambo: Last Blood in cinemas when the prior movies are on Netflix for nothing (beyond the monthly subscription fee)? Therefore, they are no different to Amazon Prime, Sky Movies or Now TV in being a contributing factor to diverting audiences away from their local cinemas. And, yes when I first subscribed to Netflix this was the main reason (besides seeing what the popularity was all about) why I joined up. And, I have to say, it's been great to catch up on movies (I've recently indulged in a Vince Vaughn season) or existing TV series (I binged Extras and The Office for the first time) that I've never seen. 

But, what Netflix really surprised and impressed me with was the quality of their original movies and series. Their original movies aren't as consistent as their series, but I've thoroughly enjoyed the likes of Murder Mystery, First Match and recently Tall Girl as which are some variation of good to great. They attract the biggest stars (because they pay bigger money than the studios) into their original content, and they either act as purely escapist, entertaining movies or "indulge in an uplifting moral examination" flick, depending on your mood. 

But, my god their series are something else! I mean, I've lost count the amount of times I've stumbled across a series (often not the most popular or trending ones), become instantly addicted and end up so frustrated that the next one won't come out until a years time. When you say to yourself "well now that's finished, I won't find another one as good and addictive as that", then you stumble across another hidden gem and the cycle starts again. But, for me it's the diversity of their series, across all genres, and their ability to invest in projects considered to outlandish, adult or expensive for conventional cable or TV producers. This is what has earnt Netflix my respect and why I don't think their as responsible for the decline of theatrical moviegoing because at the end of the day, without them these projects wouldn't be seen by audiences anyway because studios wouldn't make them. So, take a deep breath as these are some of the fantastic series I've indulged: The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Good Girls, Santa Clarita Diet, Trinkets, Money Heist, The I-Land, Workin' Moms, You, Me & Her, Malibu Beach Rescue, The Rain, Insatiable, Master of None, BONDING, Sex Education, Dead to Me, Huge in France, GLOW, Frontier, Dogs, Atypical and Afterlife. These are different genres, different styles, different lengths but what unites them all is a key talent (from the showrunners/writers) in creating loveable and relatable characters I've invested in right from the beginning, to the point I've come back episode after episode, series after series to see how their journey is going. 

This is why I've viewed series like Malibu Beach Rescue which is targeted as a kids series, and thoroughly enjoyed each episode. That's why I keep binging The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (a supernatural, horror-themed series) every time a new series premieres, despite not being a fan of supernatural horror per say. That's why I've massively enjoyed foreign language series dubbed in English voices like the Norwegian The Rain or the Spanish Money Heist, despite the mouths not matching to the English dubbing. The point that Netflix proves is that as long as you create characters that the audience invest into (because their so relatable), it doesn't matter if it's a genre, age rating or language you wouldn't normally view or understand, or if they're a witch or a working mother (both of which I'm not, sadly), audiences will binge and enjoy their original content. 

Lastly, their ability to finance projects (both movies and series) that for whatever reason studios or TV networks would refuse to finance all together or not give the amount of budget required, is what sets Netflix as a key cog in the film machine. It gives audience fantastically-sketched and well-acted content, that touches their hearts and puts a smile or look of terror on their face, that they otherwise wouldn't have seen. It allows both upcoming talent to be discovered, or existing filmmakers to find a place for their passion projects Hollywood just doesn't make anymore. For example, Hollywood would make Paul Greengrass's United 93 (a based on true life depiction of 9/11) back in 2006 and release it into cinemas to the tune of a $70 million worldwide cume and several Oscar nominations. In 2019, Netflix was the only one who'd take Greengrass's 22 July (a based on true life depiction of the Breivik terrorist attacks in Norway), and allow him to make it as graphic and brutal as he does with the budget he required. Regular readers know how much of a big Greengrass fan I am, so this was what first brought me to the streaming channel. 

The point is that Netflix should be given credit for allowing talented filmmakers and showrunners to make their thoroughly entertaining, emotionally fulfilling and insanely addictive content (whether that be original movie or series), that no one else would give investment or a platform for. Yes, they're not perfect and not everything is as a good as everything else they make. But, they deserve to be recognised as a proper and high quality producer of original movies/series alongside the studios and TV networks, as well as that big streaming giant you can binge all those existing, popular movies on. If you haven't already and you can afford it, Netflix is worth your time and money. Subscribe today and you'll be amazed how much enjoyment and fulfilment you'll find. However, if you want to keep your spare time, then probably don't.