Ben Affleck's latest directorial effort, the Netflix political thriller Animals, has landed with a muted reception from both critics and audiences, failing to impress despite the actor's vocal advocacy for the ethical integration of artificial intelligence in Hollywood. The film, which Affleck also stars in and directed, centers on a mayoral candidate whose election hopes are jeopardized when his son is taken hostage.
While Affleck has a history of directing well-received thrillers like Gone Baby Gone and the Oscar-winning Argo, Animals has drawn criticism for what reviewers describe as "paper-thin personalities and clunky dialogue." The online reception has also zeroed in on what some perceive as "abnormal looking shot composition," drawing comparisons to comedic segments found in late-night talk shows. As a result, the film is currently underperforming on both critic and audience aggregate scores.
Affleck has been largely private about the specific ways AI was employed in the production of Animals. However, he has consistently voiced his desire for AI to be utilized responsibly, emphasizing a commitment to not infringing on creative rights or intellectual property, nor threatening the livelihoods of those in the entertainment industry. This stance comes after a past apprehension towards the technology, with Affleck now positioning AI as a tool to potentially augment human roles rather than replace them.
"I don’t believe that there will ever be ‘Just type it in and make a movie that people want to see,'" Affleck stated at a recent event, as reported by Business Insider. "The whole effort behind it was to do something ethical, to do something that did not displace people, but that allowed people in this economy and this world to benefit from this technology.”
Despite Affleck's intentions to carve out a space for human talent alongside AI, the reception of Animals suggests that audiences are not yet convinced by this model. The film's struggle to gain traction highlights a broader industry tension, where the allure of AI-generated content has yet to translate into widespread audience enthusiasm, particularly when compared to human-created art that resonates more deeply.