Netflix Cuts VFX Production Time by 90% Using Generative AI in The Eternaut
Introduction
Netflix has officially confirmed that generative artificial intelligence (AI) was employed to produce visual effects (VFX) in its original series The Eternaut, which debuted in April 2025. This groundbreaking use of AI technology represents a significant shift in how Hollywood studios are approaching the expensive and time-consuming process of post-production visual effects. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealed that generative AI allowed the creation of a complex VFX sequence—specifically, a collapsing building in Buenos Aires—at a fraction of the usual time and cost.
Key Details
- Show: The Eternaut, an Argentinian post-apocalyptic drama released in April 2025.
- AI Application: Generative AI was used to create a VFX shot of a building collapsing.
- Efficiency Gains: The AI-generated sequence was completed 10 times faster than traditional VFX methods.
- Budget Impact: The effect would have been unfeasible within the show's existing budget without AI.
- Industry Context: This is the first known instance of final generative AI footage appearing in a Netflix original series or film.
- Future Plans: Netflix is exploring further AI use for ad creation and potentially AI-powered search functions on its platform.
Background
The entertainment industry has seen increasing pressure around the use of AI, especially generative AI that can create images, video, and audio. While studios seek efficiency and cost savings, workers and unions have expressed concern about AI potentially replacing human creativity and jeopardizing jobs. The Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) recently staged strikes emphasizing protections against unchecked AI use. Controversies have also arisen around whether AI models are trained on copyrighted materials without authorization, stirring legal debates.
Netflix’s adoption of generative AI for VFX signals a new chapter in this ongoing tension. By integrating AI into actual production workflows, Netflix is pioneering a model that could become mainstream, setting precedents around both creative practices and labor relations.
Impact Analysis
The use of AI-generated VFX to reduce production timelines tenfold delivers substantial cost and efficiency advantages. Visual effects are among the most resource-intensive components of modern TV and film production, often requiring weeks or months of work from specialized artists. AI’s ability to generate high-quality effects rapidly could democratize access to sophisticated visuals for lower-budget productions and allow studios to reallocate resources.
However, this technological shift also introduces significant concerns. Labor groups fear that heavy reliance on AI could reduce demand for skilled VFX artists, animators, and other technicians. The quality and originality of creative outputs might also be questioned if AI-generated visuals become formulaic or derivative. Moreover, the ethical debate about the source data for AI training remains unresolved, with potential copyright infringements raising legal and moral questions.
Broader Context
Netflix’s experimentation with AI-generated content is part of a wider industry trend embracing machine learning and automation. Other media companies and studios are exploring AI for scriptwriting, editing, dubbing, and personalized content recommendations. The promise of AI lies in accelerating workflows and enhancing creativity, but it must be balanced against preserving human artistry and protecting intellectual property.
"Using AI powered tools, they were able to achieve an amazing result with remarkable speed," said Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix. "That VFX sequence was completed 10 times faster than it could have been completed with... traditional VFX tools and workflows."
This endorsement underscores how generative AI can be a transformative enabler in content creation, but it also flags the need for responsible integration to avoid alienating creative professionals.
Future Outlook
As Netflix continues to experiment with AI—extending beyond VFX into areas like advertisement creation and AI-powered search features—the industry will watch closely to gauge the technology’s impact on production quality, costs, and workforce dynamics. Netflix’s approach may drive competitors to adopt similar technologies, accelerating AI adoption across entertainment sectors.
However, ongoing labor negotiations and regulatory scrutiny could impose limits or guidelines on AI use, particularly to safeguard artists’ rights and ethical standards. Transparent collaboration among studios, creatives, and policymakers will be crucial to balancing innovation with fairness.
Conclusion
Netflix’s announcement that generative AI was used to produce final visual effects footage in The Eternaut marks a pivotal moment in entertainment production. The 90% reduction in VFX production time highlights AI’s potential to revolutionize creative workflows, enabling more efficient and cost-effective content creation. Yet it also intensifies debates about the role of AI in art, labor dynamics, and copyright. As AI becomes more embedded in the industry, finding a sustainable and ethical path forward will be essential for all stakeholders.
