Renowned director Christopher Nolan sharply criticized Netflix, claiming it has not brought any true innovation to movies or TV shows. He emphasized that true innovation lies in the content filmmakers create for the screen, rather than the distribution method.
On the social media platform X, Nolan likened the cinema industry to Heinz, stating:
“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…”
He argued that Netflix simply repackaged the old idea of direct-to-video releases without offering anything new to advance cinema.
Despite his strong comments, Nolan later moderated his stance in other interviews. In a 2017 discussion with Variety, he acknowledged that his earlier choice of words was harsh and unfair to Netflix, conceding they changed the image of the industry to some extent.
Christopher Nolan insists that genuine innovation must come from the content itself, not from how it is delivered, while recognizing Netflix's role in transforming industry perceptions.