Netflix has unveiled an update to its Moments feature that gives subscribers more power than ever to clip their favorite scenes from movies and shows.
Launched last year, an earlier version of Moments allowed users to essentially set a bookmark at the start of their favorite scenes so they could easily find and rewatch their most loved, well, moments without having to scrub through an entire episode or movie.
The new update that has been rolled out now allows subscribers to set a start and end point, so rather than just bookmarking they can actually create a clip, which will live in their My Netflix tab, ready to be revisited as much as they like. There’s also the option to share the clip to social media, whether publicly on Instagram or privately via WhatsApp.
To see the new feature in action, check out the video below.
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As one of the best streaming services, Netflix always has an eye on what their audience is after, and the timing of this launch is no coincidence. Of the thousands of titles that have been clipped thus far, smash hit animation KPop Demon Hunters holds the top three spots, all of which are in-movie performances from the Saja Boys.
Adding the ability to set an end point and properly create a clip works wonders for this sort of content, with the user now able to create a music video of sorts rather than simply bookmarking their favorite songs. It’s also worth noting that the update is launching alongside Wednesday season 2, part 2, a show that featured one of Netflix’s most iconic dance numbers in a scene that went viral after being shared on social media.
And this social aspect is a huge part of the thinking behind this new feature, with VP of Member Product at Netflix, Elmar Nubbemeyer saying: “At its heart, this feature is about giving members the ability to celebrate and share their favorite stories while curating an experience that feels uniquely their own.”
What’s the new Moments update like to use?
I’ve had a play around with the new feature myself and I have to say, in what’s come as somewhat of a surprise to myself, I’m a fan. For context, I generally bemoan the cannibalization of long form media into out of context bite-sized chunks designed to be watched in the wrong aspect ratio on a small phone screen, however, whenever a particular scene hits me emotionally, whether that’s punching the air in glee or crying into my cushions, I do tend to revisit that particular clip again and again. I’ve only seen 1917 once, for example, but must have streamed the haunting ‘Wayfaring Stranger’ scene over a hundred times. Same goes with Kingsman and that church scene.
The Moments feature, therefore, is perfect for a user like me who wants to be able to watch these scenes again and again without having to sit through the entire film, or even spend time scrubbing through to find it. As a test, I’ve added Max’s heart-pounding escape from Vecna in Stranger Things’ ‘Dear Billy’ episode, and I’m loving being able to revisit one of the show’s most iconic moments.
Speaking of Stranger Things, my concern, however, is what this means for trying to remain spoiler free. Taking the retro drama’s fifth and final season as an example, multiple episodes will be dropping at once, and over three holiday periods, a time when folks usually have a lot going on.
This means that different viewers will be watching at a varying pace, which makes opening social media a dicey prospect already. Add to that the fact that pivotal scenes (and there’s sure to be many) can now just pop up across your feed in all their 4K glory with no warning and it’s a minefield for those looking to enjoy the conclusion to the Stranger Things saga unsullied.
The same applies to all Netflix shows and movies going forward. An unsuspecting click on an Instagram story here, a WhatsApp message from a less discerning friend there, and before you know it, the big twist has played out in front of you before you’ve pressed play on the first episode.
But, that being said, it’s still a great update to Netflix Moments that will allow me, and millions of other users, to go back and revisit the scenes that move us, enthrall us and set our pulse racing again and again, even if it means we’ll have to be a little more spoiler cautious in the future.