Why Are Netflix Original Movies Mostly Bad/Mediocre While Their Series Are Great?

The perception that Netflix original movies often fall short of the quality of their series can be attributed to several factors, each of which deserves exploration.

Quantity Over Quality

Netflix has a significant focus on producing a vast number of original films to build its catalog. This push for quantity can often result in a lower overall quality of films. Not every project receives the same level of care or attention, leading to inconsistent quality across their movie roster.

Diverse Audience

Netflix aims to cater to a wide range of tastes and demographics. This broad appeal strategy can result in films that try to appeal to broad audiences but may lack depth or originality. These films can come across as formulaic or generic, potentially falling short in terms of storytelling and emotional depth.

Creative Control

Many Netflix films are produced with varying levels of creative control. Some filmmakers might feel constrained by the platform's demands or expectations, leading to compromises in storytelling and production quality. This can impact the final product's integrity and appeal.

Marketing and Visibility

Netflix invests heavily in marketing its series, which often leads to greater visibility and buzz. Original films, while still promoted, may not receive the same level of attention. This can result in less audience engagement and feedback, potentially leading to a final product that does not fully meet viewer expectations.

Shorter Format

Television series have the advantage of longer runtimes to develop characters and story arcs, allowing for more extensive storytelling. In contrast, movies have a shorter format, which can make it challenging to create compelling narratives or robust character development. This can lead to unsatisfying endings or rushed plots, ultimately resulting in lesser quality content.

Competition and Expectations

The film industry is highly competitive, with established studios and filmmakers creating high-quality content. Netflix's original films often compete against this backdrop, leading to higher expectations that may not always be met. The experience of viewing a film that disappoints can contribute to a negative perception of the overall quality of Netflix's movie offerings.

Success with Series

Netflix has had more success with original series, which offer more extensive storytelling and character development over multiple episodes or seasons. This format allows for serialized storytelling, which can often lead to more compelling and memorable content. Examples like Designated Survivor, which ran for several seasons, demonstrate the platform's ability to captivate audiences over an extended period.

However, it's important to note that not all series are created equal. While Designated Survivor had a remarkable long run and maintained high engagement, the final episodes did not meet the standards expected by some viewers. The ending, with the President's last words, being described as 'appalling, nasty, and degrading' left a lasting negative impression on many viewers. This incident serves as a stark reminder of how even a high-performing series can falter in the quality of its final moments.

The issue highlights the delicate balance Netflix must strike between providing diverse content for a broad audience and maintaining a consistent level of quality. While the platform excels in many areas, there is always room for improvement and accountability in ensuring that every piece of content meets high standards.

In conclusion, while Netflix's original movies sometimes fall short of the quality of their series, the reasons behind this are multifaceted. By understanding these factors, we can gain a better appreciation for the challenges Netflix faces and also identify potential areas for improvement in the future.