Animals Horrible AI Slop Scene Officially Stains Ben Affleck’s Near-Perfect Legacy

Ben Affleck has returned to the director’s chair with Animals. The crime thriller and political drama premiered on Netflix on October 9, alongside a limited theatrical release. Since then, the movie has been generating significant buzz, but for all the wrong reasons. In particular, a large section of fans seem to be disappointed with an AI-generated scene from the movie.

A clip from Animals is making rounds on social media, which has over 5.8 million views at the time of writing. The viral video shows a kidnapped boy, Hector (Jacob Estrada), being pushed down a steep concrete slope in a small cart, while Mark (Ben Affleck) catches him just in time before he hits the ground. However, internet users pointed out some loose ends that make the scene look like it was generated by artificial intelligence.

According to fans, the boy’s movement down the embankment has an awkward speed and trajectory. In addition, he is awkwardly launched from the cart before falling right into Mark’s arms. The movement has made viewers question whether this was one of the scenes in Animals where Ben Affleck resorted to AI, which he has already admitted to using in the film.

Ben Affleck’s Latest Netflix Movie Faces Backlash Over AI Scene

Ben Affleck and Kerry Washington in Animals (2026) | Image via Netflix

It seems like Affleck’s directorial legacy is significantly hurt after he used AI in Animals. “Watched this movie last night, was really excited about. Once it was over it made me never want to watch another Ben Affleck movie again, 0/10 no joke one of the worst films I’ve ever seen,” one fan commented. Some questioned the lack of physics: “I can’t stop watching this. It’s so bad. Why would he be launched out like that? Why was he safe at all?”, while another user added, “Why is he going in a different direction in every shot (on top of everything else).”

A third took a dig at Affleck’s statement when he admitted that he has used AI for Animals, but was “hesitant to point out” the scenes. “’I used [AI] for lots of things in that movie. I’m a little bit hesitant to point out what they are…’ baby it’s ok we could tell,” the user wrote.

One added, “Will not be watching this AI SLOP,” while another lamented, “Is this Ben’s new AI he’s been bragging about. Man this looks so bad.”

Ben Affleck Previously Said AI Could Never Replace Human Creativity

A Still from Animals | Credit: Netflix

Ben Affleck has previously discussed using AI in his film, but noted that he doesn’t believe it can replace human creativity. In a recent interview with Bloomberg Screentime, reported by Reuters, he said,

I used (AI) for lots of things in that movie. I’m a little bit hesitant to point out what they are — or even talk about it — because in my business, we’re trying to foster the illusion of reality, right?

In another interview with TheWrap, he further explained exactly how he used AI in animals. He noted that artificial intelligence was used to “change some lights or optics of a shot or do some visual effects removals.” He stressed that he completely rejects the claims that AI can “do it all.” 2 years ago, he said during the CNBC Delivering Alpha 2024 summit, (via TechCrunch) “It’s not going to replace human beings making films.”

Affleck elaborated, “AI can write you excellent imitative verse that sounds Elizabethan; it cannot write you Shakespeare.” His statement leaned towards using AI as a tool, and that’s what he perhaps tried to achieve in Animals. However, reactions suggest that the AI use seemed too obvious in many scenes.

Animals is currently streaming on Netflix? If you have already watched, let us know your thoughts.