Link: https://old.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/1tbq6b4/why_are_netflix_shows_obsessed_with/

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The original was posted on /r/movies by /u/mbillman9 on 2026-05-13 05:24:26+00:00.

Am I the only one going crazy over this? 😂

I’ve noticed so many newer Netflix productions have this super aggressive blurry edge / shallow focus look where only the center of the screen is sharp and everything else looks smeared or out of focus.

I started watching Lord of the Flies and the story, acting, directing, cinematography, etc. are actually really solid so far… but the constant soft-focus edges are making it hard to watch. It feels like someone rubbed Vaseline around the borders of the screen, and in the background.

And it’s not just this show. It feels like Netflix does this on almost EVERY original now. Once you notice it, you can’t unsee it. As an actor, it makes it hard for me to watch a lot of these films without cringing.

I’m assuming it’s some combination of:

•extreme shallow depth of field

•anamorphic lenses

•artificial background separation

•over-stylized “cinematic” color grading

•trying to make digital footage feel more “film-like”

…but sometimes it just feels excessive and distracting instead of cinematic.

Older movies managed to look cinematic while still letting you actually SEE the whole frame clearly. Now it feels like half the image is fighting for its life.

Does anyone else notice this?

this isn't specifically a Netflix thing, but I definitely notice it on ALL Netflix originals. Is it a modern cinematography trend, or am I just becoming an old man yelling at clouds?