Netflix has become 'unwatchable' as a result of the 'woke mind virus', according to Elon Musk.
It comes after the streaming platform reported its first loss of subscribers in 10 years, causing its share price to plummet. Netflix said the drop in subscribers is due to password sharing and stiff competition from the likes of Disney+ and Amazon Prime, but hasn't acknowledged people's bitterness towards the recent price hike.
The Tesla and SpaceX chief, who's currently embroiled in a financial and legal storm over the control of Twitter, has his own thoughts on why Netflix isn't as attractive as it once was: apparently, wokeness is to blame.
In response to an article detailing Netflix's subscriber losses and 'cratered' share price, Musk tweeted: "The woke mind virus is making Netflix unwatchable."
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One follower then responded: "Woke mind virus is the biggest threat to the civilisation," to which Musk replied: "Yes."
If we're going by the Merriam-Webster definition of woke, which means to be 'aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues', Netflix has produced a number of shows and movies that speak to certain issues and taboos.
Sex Education is a sex-positive, candid comedy that's connected with audiences around the world. Squid Game used bloody, Takeshi's Castle-style thrills in a story about how money will drive us to anything in desperation. More and more shows are also being inclusive of pronouns and LGBTQ+ representation.
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Musk hasn't mentioned any specific shows that fall under the 'woke mind virus' umbrella, but he's been backed by others online.
Lawyer A.J. Delgado wrote: "You mean you don't enjoy Viking shows where the biggest/baddest warrior is a woman (eye-roll -- no, those didn't actually exist); or horror films that turn out to be actually be social justice commentary; or shows that make 'cutesy' references to devil (Sabrina)?"
Another user also replied: "Not just Netflix. Movies in general, video games, tv, it's all infested with current year trend woke garbage for fear offending a green haired freak next to the ban button.
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"Nothing original anymore at all, except for media coming out of places like Japan or Korea, ironically."
Musk responded: "True."
It's unclear exactly how Netflix would crack down on password-sharing. In a note to investors, the company said (as per The Guardian): "Our revenue growth has slowed considerably. Streaming is winning over linear, as we predicted, and Netflix titles are very popular globally.
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'However, our relatively high household penetration – when including the large number of households sharing accounts – combined with competition, is creating revenue growth headwinds."
UNILAD has reached out to Netflix for comment.
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Topics: Netflix, Elon Musk, Film and TV
Cameron Frew