{
  "id": 14912460,
  "title": "Ben Affleck viral AI scene in Netflix’s ‘Animals’ sparks backlash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/ben-affleck-viral-ai-scene-in-netflixs-animals-sparks-backlash",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-16T08:42:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/technology/software-and-internet/2026-10-16-ben-affleck-viral-ai-scene-in-netflixs-animals-sparks-backlash/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An AI-generated action sequence starring Ben Affleck in Netflix's thriller, Animals, has sparked widespread backlash. The viral clip depicts a kidnapped child being catapulted into the arms of Affleck from the top of a Los Angeles drainage canal. The visual quality of the stunt is unconvincing, indicating the use of low-quality AI generation. Despite the short duration of the AI element, it has become the focus of numerous slow-motion replays. Executing such a dangerous stunt in reality is impossible, and hiring a specialized team of digital animators and visual effects artists would have produced a far superior result. Instead, the producers opted for a quick and cheap AI rendering, compromising on skilled craftsmanship. Affleck's acceptance of this technology aligns with his past interest in computer programming and film technology. The controversy surrounding Animals arrives at a crucial juncture in the industry, as Nicolas Cage has also refused to sign an AI waiver for his upcoming series, Spider-Noir. This incident highlights a growing divide in Hollywood regarding the appropriate use of AI in productions. The viral scene in Animals suggests that audiences and artists are skeptical of AI's current role on the big screen.",
  "summary": "Ben Affleck’s new Netflix thriller, Animals, faces widespread criticism after an unconvincing, heavily AI-generated stunt scene went viral for all the wrong reasons.",
  "key_points": [
    "AI-generated stunt sparks backlash",
    "Kidnapped child catapulted into Affleck's arms",
    "Compromises skilled craftsmanship"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}