$320 Million Millie Bobby Brown Thriller Leaves Netflix Viewers Shocked by AI Use
Directed by the Russo Brothers, the film premiered on Netflix last Friday.
Netflix viewers are watching The Electric State like it’s a fireworks show, then immediately turning around to argue about how one of the loudest “effects” came from AI voice modulation. The film is racking up top-chart numbers in the UK and worldwide, but the conversation online is less “wow” and more “wait, what did they do to the sound?”
Here’s the mess: the Russo brothers, who are already dealing with backlash over their AI comments, explained in an interview with The Times that they used AI for voice modulation. Anthony Russo called it something “any ten-year-old could do” after watching TikTok, and he framed generative AI as a creative tool, even comparing its current limits to slow adoption in other high-tech fields.
Now the real question is whether the movie’s massive $320 million budget can drown out the outrage over who should be allowed to touch voices in the first place, especially when Twitter is already treating it like a cinema crime scene.
"The Electric State | Official Teaser | Netflix"
The Russo Brothers have faced widespread criticism for their comments about AI.
The latest flashpoint emerged when the Russo brothers discussed their use of AI in an interview with The Times. Anthony Russo explained that AI was applied to voice modulation, calling the process "something any ten-year-old could do after watching a TikTok video."
He defended AI as a creative tool, likening its current limitations to those that have slowed adoption in fields like self-driving cars and surgical robotics.
“There’s a lot of finger-pointing and hyperbole because people are afraid,” he said. “AI in its generative state is best suited toward creativity.”
Getty Images
The film has received overwhelmingly negative reviews.
Reactions on Twitter were swift and intense. One user wrote:
“F**K OFF WITH AI VOICE MODULATION AND USE SOUND ENGINEERS AND SOUND DESIGNERS. If the Russos use this on Avengers, I will lose my shit. You’re ruining cinema.” Another tweeted: “Ten-year-olds aren’t making $320 million movies. Embarrassing.”
Some dismissed AI voice work as nothing more than a “fancy name for a voice filter,” while others warned against normalizing AI in film production.
Netflix
That’s when people started yelling about sound engineers and “ruining cinema,” after the Russo brothers’ The Times interview went viral alongside the teaser buzz for <em>The Electric State</em>.
Then the receipts kept piling up on Twitter, with critics mocking the idea that “ten-year-olds” could make a $320 million movie, even if the AI part sounded that simple in Anthony Russo’s words.
Regardless of critical reviews and heated debate, The Electric State has climbed to the top of Netflix’s charts in both the UK and worldwide. Streaming data suggests viewers remain curious, if not enthusiastic, about the movie’s visual spectacle.
Not all commentary has been negative. Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph praised the film’s design, writing, “It’s so beautifully designed… that I defy you to watch more than five minutes without wishing your flatscreen was the size of a house.”
This echoes the kind of backlash in movies people loved until they rewatched them and changed their minds.
Even as some called the AI voice work just a “fancy name for a voice filter,” the film still shot to the top of Netflix charts, proving the spectacle has its own gravity.
Insights on AI in Filmmaking
Artificial intelligence in film production is a double-edged sword. While AI can streamline processes like script analysis and editing, it raises ethical concerns about creativity and authenticity.
AI should augment, not replace, human creativity. For filmmakers, a balanced approach can yield the best results, combining AI’s efficiency with the irreplaceable human touch. This method can lead to innovative storytelling while preserving artistic integrity.
Whether Netflix’s gamble pays off in the long run and whether AI will become a routine part of blockbuster filmmaking remains to be seen.
For now, The Electric State stands as a lightning rod for discussions about budget, technology, and the future of cinematic storytelling. The Electric State is streaming on Netflix now.
And while Robbie Collin praised the design, the debate kept circling back to whether AI should “augment, not replace” the human touch, right after viewers heard the modulated voices in question.
To improve audience retention, filmmakers should focus on character development and emotional arcs.
While the use of AI in production can streamline processes and offer new creative possibilities, it raises concerns about the potential dilution of the human touch that defines compelling narratives.
This film exemplifies the tension between cutting-edge technology and the need for character-driven storytelling. To truly resonate with audiences, filmmakers must strike a delicate balance, ensuring that innovation does not eclipse the emotional depth and creativity that come from human experience. As the industry continues to adapt, a collaborative approach that harmonizes technological advancements with traditional artistry will be essential for delivering engaging and meaningful cinematic experiences.
The movie is winning views, but it might lose trust, one AI-tinged voice at a time.
For more viral spillover, see how the Golden Globes turned into the Internet’s group chat.
Damjan
