Why Every Netflix Original Feels Like It Was Written by AI—And We're Still Watching

Are Netflix Originals Just Algorithms at Work? (And Why We're Addicted Anyway)

Let me paint you a picture: you’re curled up on your couch, hoodie on, snacks ready, scrolling through Netflix, and every new show you click on feels...off. Like, who’s writing this stuff? A room full of sleep-deprived writers hopped up on energy drinks? Or—plot twist—a slightly confused AI bot who thinks it knows how humans interact but missed a few key details?

Honestly, Netflix Originals are starting to feel like they’ve been spat out by an algorithm, and it’s low-key hilarious. But here’s the kicker—we’re still glued to our screens like moths to a neon “PLAY NEXT EPISODE” button. Let’s talk about why every Netflix show feels like it was written by AI, and why we keep binging anyway.

The Plot Formula: Chaotic but Predictable

You know the drill. Netflix shows always seem to have a plot that looks 🔥 in the trailer—enough to hook you for at least one episode—but once you dive in, it’s like, Wait a second... didn’t I watch this exact same story last month? Every new show feels like it’s pulling from a grab bag of clichés. It’s almost comforting how predictable they are, like a warm bowl of instant ramen—familiar, chaotic, and satisfying in the moment, even if you know it’s not groundbreaking.

Let’s break down the go-to Netflix formulas:

1. A rebellious teen moves to a small town with a dark secret.
   Think Wednesday or Locke & Key. In these shows, the protagonist is usually moody, misunderstood, and has some kind of edgy hobby (probably photography, art, or collecting dead bugs). They arrive in a new town, usually against their will, and immediately uncover some hidden, spooky mystery. Bonus points if there’s a quirky sidekick who constantly says things like, “This town gives me the creeps.”
2. A group of misfits uncovers a supernatural mystery.
   Enter Stranger Things and The Umbrella Academy. The cast is almost always a ragtag team of unlikely friends: the sarcastic nerd, the broody leader, the awkward romantic interest, and maybe one token character with a mysterious backstory. They’re forced to team up against a common enemy (usually some shadowy government agency or interdimensional monster) and bond through ridiculous levels of chaos.
3. A morally gray protagonist is forced into a life of crime.
   If you’ve seen Ozark or even Breaking Bad knockoffs, you know the vibe. Netflix loves the whole “ordinary person becomes a criminal mastermind” trope. It’s always someone reluctantly thrown into a dangerous world—usually to pay off debts, save their family, or escape a toxic system. The stakes keep escalating until everything spirals wildly out of control.

It’s almost as if Netflix took every successful storyline from the past two decades, ran them through ChatGPT, and said, “Okay, but make it slightly edgier, and add one character with an emotional support dog for maximum relatability.”

And let’s not forget the predictable cliffhangers at the end of each episode. They’ll drop some mind-blowing twist—like a character you thought was dead suddenly walking into the frame—with just enough drama to make you hit “Next Episode.” Deep down, you know the twist is probably leading to another cliché, but hey, who are you to deny the chaos?

The Dialogue That Feels…Not Quite Human

Have you ever watched a Netflix show and thought, People don’t talk like this? Like, I’m sorry, but no teenager in 2025 is saying, “I feel like my soul is being swallowed by the void of existence,” before slamming their locker. And don’t even get me started on the forced Gen Z slang.

They’ll have characters throw in words like “yeet” or “vibe” like it’s seasoning, but it’s always just a little off.

• A character will say, “This party is totally sus,” and you can practically hear the ghost of their 40-year-old screenwriter Googling, “How do kids talk now?”
• Or my personal favorite: when a love interest says something so corny it sounds like a chatbot trying to flirt. “You’re the Wi-Fi signal to my disconnected soul.” Please.

It’s cringey, it’s awkward, and yet...we eat it up. Maybe it’s because it gives us something to roast in the group chat, or maybe it’s because it’s so bad, it’s good.

The AI-Level Casting Choices

Netflix casting is a fever dream. They’ll somehow convince an A-list actor to star in a show with a budget that looks like it was filmed in someone’s backyard (looking at you, The Kissing Booth), and then pair them with random TikTok influencers. It’s like Netflix throws darts at a board labeled “Celebrity Tier” and “Instagram Followers” and says, “Yep, this works.”

And don’t even get me started on the diversity checkbox casting. Don’t get me wrong, representation is amazing and necessary, but sometimes it feels like Netflix just adds a character from every possible demographic without giving them an actual personality. Like, oh cool, we have a bi-coded hacker, a sarcastic BFF with a disability, and a single mom with a mysterious past...but they’re all just there to support the main, usually bland, protagonist.

Why Are We Still Watching Though?!

Okay, let’s be real. For all the “AI-vibes” of Netflix Originals, we keep hitting play. Why?

1. It’s Comfort TV: Predictability isn’t always bad. After a long day, sometimes all you want is a messy love triangle or a supernatural mystery that doesn’t make sense.
2. The FOMO Is Real: The second everyone on TikTok is talking about a show, we’re obligated to watch it. (Is it actually good? Nope. But will I watch the whole thing just to get the memes? Absolutely.)
3. Guilty Pleasure Chaos: Netflix knows how to turn the ridiculous into binge-worthy content. Like, yes, the plot is nonsensical, but I need to know who survives this haunted Airbnb, okay?

So, Who's Really Writing These Shows?

It’s not actually AI...but let’s admit it: Netflix’s algorithm is probably calling the shots. They know exactly what we’ll watch based on trends, data, and our unhinged viewing habits (yes, I rewatched Wednesday three times, what of it?).

And you know what? I’m okay with it. Netflix can keep giving me AI-like scripts, chaotic love triangles, and questionable dialogue because I’ll keep eating it up like movie theater popcorn. It’s camp. It’s chaos. It’s comfort.

Now excuse me while I go binge their latest show about time-traveling influencers who save the world with a magic app. Don’t act like you wouldn’t watch it too.

Stay tuned for more chaotic pop culture breakdowns, only on Woke Waves Magazine. ✨

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