Matt Damon recently shared some eye-opening thoughts on how our phone usage has changed the way we experience movies. During a chat with Ben Affleck on The Joe Rogan Experience, Damon revealed a conversation with Netflix executives. They mentioned it might be helpful to repeat plot points multiple times in the dialogue since so many viewers are distracted by their phones.
If you’re reading this while half-watching a movie, he’s talking about you.
A 2019 study found that up to 94% of people used their phones while watching TV, and with the pandemic, those numbers likely soared even higher. The dual-screen experience is now the norm.
Netflix is well aware of this trend. In a recent essay, writer Will Tavlin highlighted how screenwriters are encouraged to make their stories accessible for viewers who might not be fully engaged. This often leads to awkwardly evident lines like those in Lindsay Lohan’s Irish Wish, where characters plainly state their motivations and plans.
In contrast, Affleck reminisced about a time when going to the movies was a weekly event for Americans. He joked about how people attended films because there wasn’t much else to do. Both he and Damon discussed how the experience of watching movies at home lacks the focus of a theater setting. Damon compares it to attending church, where you commit your attention to the experience.
Research supports their points. A recent survey by the American Psychological Association shows that our attention spans have decreased significantly in the digital age. This makes the immersive experience of the cinema feel rare and valuable.
In a world full of distractions, we might just need to reclaim that time. So, perhaps it’s worth considering how we can engage more deeply with the stories we love.
If you’re curious about this topic, check out more insights from major publications like The Verge to see what experts are saying about our shifting viewing habits.
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Ben Affleck,Joe Rogan,Matt Damon,Netflix,Smartphones
