Ben Affleck’s AI-Driven Film Sparks Viral Criticism
Ben Affleck's AI-enhanced thriller 'Animals' sparks viral backlash, with critics questioning Netflix's $587M investment.
POLICY WIRE — Los Angeles, United States — Ben Affleck’s latest film, *Animals*, has become a focal point of online discussion after an unintentionally absurd scene involving artificial intelligence went viral. The film, which debuted on Netflix, features a sequence where a child is shown flying through the air, defying physics and drawing comparisons to a famously awkward scene from a 1988 movie.
The scene, which appears late in the thriller, has sparked widespread mockery on social media. Critics have likened it to a memorable but poorly executed moment from *Mac & Me*, a film known for its campy style. Affleck, who has openly discussed using AI during production, admitted that the technology was involved but declined to elaborate on its specific role.
Netflix’s investment in Affleck’s AI company, InterPositive, has come under scrutiny following the film’s reception. The streaming giant paid $587 million for the firm in March, and Affleck joined as a senior advisor. Despite this, the film’s critical score remains low, with many pointing to weak acting and dialogue rather than the AI elements as the main issue.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
