As the clock ticked down to the start of Netflix’s highly anticipated fan event, Tudum, the atmosphere inside the Kia Forum in Inglewood was surprisingly subdued. With less than ten minutes remaining before the show began streaming live, a noticeable number of seats were empty, and the energy among attendees felt more like a casual gathering than a vibrant fan celebration. To uplift the crowd, a pre-show emcee took to the stage, cranking up the music and encouraging everyone to rise from their seats. He announced the presence of Netflix stars: “The cast of Outer Banks is here!” received only polite applause, while “Lady Gaga is here!” ignited a roars of excitement, showcasing her undeniable star power.
Once Tudum kicked off, the Forum began to fill, though it still fell short of full capacity. The audience's enthusiasm grew as A-listers such as Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Daniel Craig, Adam Sandler, and Jenna Ortega graced the stage, alongside popular shows like Squid Game, One Piece, and Wednesday. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Lady Gaga, who closed the show with an electrifying two-song performance, captivating the audience in a way that no other segment managed to achieve.
Since its inception as a virtual fan event in 2020, Tudum has puzzled many as one of the most ambitious marketing strategies in the streaming industry. While several of Netflix’s properties boast dedicated fan bases, the underlying premise of Tudum suggests a vast community of Netflix super fans eagerly awaiting news on all of its programs. This premise was put to the test as the event rapidly transitioned from casts of shows like Outer Banks and Ginny & Georgia answering pre-selected fan questions, to WWE wrestlers promoting the reality series WWE Unreal, and the cast of One Piece presenting character backgrounds that avid fans would already know.
It’s fair to recognize that some individuals may enjoy a diverse assortment of genres, including YA dramas, professional wrestling, and live-action anime. However, it stretches the imagination to believe that the same audience is eagerly anticipating trailers for projects like the upcoming Knives Out sequel, Wake Up Dead Man, or Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, which stars Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi. The excitement for the return of Shooter McGavin in Happy Gilmore 2 also seems disconnected from the core fan experience that Tudum aims to create.
Amidst the varied segments, some showcased intriguing aspects of upcoming titles. The cast of Wake Up Dead Man, featuring Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis, and Josh Brolin, joined writer-director Rian Johnson for a playful discussion on melodramatic twists in murder mysteries. Stars from Happy Gilmore 2 engaged the audience with light-hearted exchanges, while Affleck and co-star Teyana Taylor playfully bantered about their teleprompter reading glasses. Despite these charming moments, the overall effect of cramming such diverse titles into one event dulled the individual impact of each project.
The Stranger Things presentation, featuring Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, and Finn Wolfhard, stood out as one of the most moving moments of the show. They shared nostalgic behind-the-scenes footage, reminiscing about their early days on the show before unveiling an intense, albeit brief, preview of the fifth and final season. Immediately following this emotional segment, Vanessa Lachey shifted gears, presenting kiss-cam highlights from the audience featuring couples from Love Is Blind and Love on the Spectrum.
Netflix's dominance in the streaming industry is built on its universal content model, delivering an expansive buffet of entertainment options. Tudum aligns with this messaging, similar to Disney's D23 Expo, which last year offered a marathon presentation covering its vast array of offerings. This shock-and-awe strategy aims to dazzle consumers into recognizing the vastness of available content, yet it often undermines the authentic fan experience, which thrives on personal connections and community engagement—something that Lady Gaga has masterfully cultivated throughout her career. It’s no surprise that she emerged as the standout attraction at Tudum.
