Netflix Confirms Use of Generative AI in 'El Eternauta' to Accelerate VFX and Cut Costs
Netflix has officially acknowledged the use of generative AI in the production of its new Argentinian sci-fi series El Eternauta, marking a significant shift in how the streaming giant approaches visual effects and content creation. The announcement came during the company’s Q2 2025 earnings call, where co-Chief Executive Ted Sarandos outlined the benefits and efficiencies gained by deploying AI technologies on set.
El Eternauta, an adaptation of the iconic Argentinian graphic novel, integrates AI-generated visual effects throughout its sci-fi narrative. According to Sarandos, one of the key sequences in the show a complex building collapse scene set in Buenos Aires was completed using AI-powered VFX tools that delivered results ten times faster than traditional pipelines. He emphasized that achieving the same quality through conventional workflows would have pushed the production over budget, making the sequence unfeasible.
“We remain convinced that AI represents an incredible opportunity to help creators make films and series better, not just cheaper,” said Sarandos. “Using AI-powered tools, they were able to achieve an amazing result with remarkable speed, and in fact, that VFX sequence was completed 10 times faster than it could have been with traditional VFX tools and workflows.”
While Sarandos framed the move as a way to empower artists and streamline creativity, he also acknowledged the broader implications. The streaming platform’s enthusiastic adoption of generative AI indicates a strategic push to integrate the technology across more of its sci-fi and effects-driven projects moving forward.
Netflix argues that generative AI will not only help productions stay within budget, but will also enable creators to visualize and iterate on ambitious concepts more effectively. The company sees it as a tool that enhances artistic possibilities by reducing time constraints and expanding what is feasible in terms of production scale and complexity.
However, the adoption of AI-generated visuals raises concerns among creative professionals. While Netflix maintains that “real people are doing real work with better tools,” critics and industry veterans worry about the long-term ramifications. As generative AI continues to evolve, there’s an ongoing debate about the risk of creative roles being automated out of the process particularly in VFX, animation, and design.
Netflix’s embrace of generative AI is likely to accelerate a broader trend across the entertainment industry, with studios, production houses, and post-production teams reevaluating their workflows. Though positioned as an enhancement, this technological evolution will undoubtedly spark deeper discussions on labor, ethics, and the preservation of human creativity in film and television.
What are your thoughts on Netflix using AI to cut costs and speed up production? Is this the future of filmmaking or a step too far? Share your views in the comments.
