As a subscriber, I admire what MUBI represents: curated world cinema and resistance to the algorithmic junk pile of mass streaming culture. And the hard truth is this: the art-house niche is on life support, and MUBI knows it.
People don’t watch films; they snack on content. A two-and-a-half-hour Hungarian slow burn about grief might win a prize in Locarno, but it won’t get clicks on a Tuesday night. Meanwhile, MUBI’s catalog—once a strength—is now an echo chamber. Titles linger too long. The platform seems afraid to take them down, afraid to lose even one thin filament of cultural capital.
The audience, what’s left of it, is split: cinephiles want depth, but they also want novelty. Newcomers, meanwhile, are wary of signing up for what feels like homework. It’s a brutal paradox—being a streaming service that banks on attention spans that no longer exist.
So MUBI made its move. Call it what it is: going corporate, acquisitions, distribution deals, and more star-driven festival bait. Press releases contain phrases like “global expansion” and “strategic partnerships.” It’s the only path left when curation becomes a liability. In a world where movies are losing cultural relevance, art house cinema becomes not a niche but a void that no amount of aesthetic seriousness can fill.
Well said and well written! I fear that we are already past the A24 era - they’re corporate now. NEON is the new darling, but how long will they last?
It’s a disturbing trend across all businesses - nobody is doing anything for the good of the people or simply for passion anymore. It’s all about shareholders and private equity returns.
This reinforces the need for more filmmakers to be active in doing their own distribution, especially if you’re making arthouse films . There are only a few large companies that you can sell to (MUBI, Neon, etc) and if they pass then you need a strategy. It really is up to us.
On the money here Sam!
Some interesting things to chew on in this one
read in a single breath 🔒
I love these ideas, super smart approach to the current environment. Let’s do it!
This was really interesting. Thank you!
Awesome work.
As a subscriber, I admire what MUBI represents: curated world cinema and resistance to the algorithmic junk pile of mass streaming culture. And the hard truth is this: the art-house niche is on life support, and MUBI knows it.
People don’t watch films; they snack on content. A two-and-a-half-hour Hungarian slow burn about grief might win a prize in Locarno, but it won’t get clicks on a Tuesday night. Meanwhile, MUBI’s catalog—once a strength—is now an echo chamber. Titles linger too long. The platform seems afraid to take them down, afraid to lose even one thin filament of cultural capital.
The audience, what’s left of it, is split: cinephiles want depth, but they also want novelty. Newcomers, meanwhile, are wary of signing up for what feels like homework. It’s a brutal paradox—being a streaming service that banks on attention spans that no longer exist.
So MUBI made its move. Call it what it is: going corporate, acquisitions, distribution deals, and more star-driven festival bait. Press releases contain phrases like “global expansion” and “strategic partnerships.” It’s the only path left when curation becomes a liability. In a world where movies are losing cultural relevance, art house cinema becomes not a niche but a void that no amount of aesthetic seriousness can fill.
“Success is just mediocrity with good timing.”
hard agree
Well said and well written! I fear that we are already past the A24 era - they’re corporate now. NEON is the new darling, but how long will they last?
It’s a disturbing trend across all businesses - nobody is doing anything for the good of the people or simply for passion anymore. It’s all about shareholders and private equity returns.
Smart join-the-dots. Will be interesting to see where it shakes down.
This reinforces the need for more filmmakers to be active in doing their own distribution, especially if you’re making arthouse films . There are only a few large companies that you can sell to (MUBI, Neon, etc) and if they pass then you need a strategy. It really is up to us.
Fascinating read! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes for easy home cooking.
check us out:
https://thesecretingredient.substack.com
I swear to god, if Mubi start inserting ads unless you upgrade to premium I'm gonna start breaking stuff