Renowned director Christopher Nolan openly criticized Netflix, claiming it has not brought any true innovation to movies and television. When Nolan discusses streaming, his perspective commands attention.
On X, Nolan compared the film industry to Heinz ketchup, emphasizing that the real innovation should appear in the film content itself, rather than the delivery method. He stated that Netflix merely repackaged the old idea of direct-to-video releases without creating anything new.
“We work in a mature business. I like to say we’re Heinz, we make ketchup. The innovation in our industry has always been and should always be what goes on the screen, not…”
Despite his strong words, Nolan later moderated his stance in interviews. He acknowledged Netflix’s role in reshaping the industry’s image and expressed some regret for the harshness of his original comments.
During a 2017 conversation with Variety, Nolan admitted that his phrasing regarding Netflix was not ideal, showing a more nuanced perspective.
Christopher Nolan criticizes Netflix for lacking true cinematic innovation but recognizes its impact on the industry’s image and softens his earlier harsh remarks.